100 citations,
March 2006 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry” Cystatin M/E strongly inhibits cathepsin V and cathepsin L, important for skin formation.
22 citations,
November 2008 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Cystatin M/E helps in the final stages of hair and nail formation by controlling certain enzymes.
10 citations,
November 2018 in “Genetics in medicine” Lack of cystatin M/E causes thin hair and dry skin.
Cornification is the process where living skin cells die to create a protective barrier, and problems with it can cause skin diseases.
25 citations,
June 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Genes linked to fibrosis are more active in people with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.