Abstract
Mechanical forces are known to regulate homeostasis of the skin and play a role in
the pathogenesis of skin diseases. The epidermis consists of keratinocytes that are
tightly adhered to each other by cell junctions. Defects in keratins or desmosomal/hemidesmosomal
proteins lead to the attenuation of mechanical strength and formation of intraepidermal
blisters in the case of epidermolysis bullosa simplex. The dermis is rich in extracellular
matrix, especially collagen, and provides the majority of tensile force in the skin.
Keloid and hypertrophic scar, which is the result of over-production of collagen by
fibroblasts during the wound healing, are associated with extrinsic tensile forces
and changes of intrinsic mechanical properties of the cell. Increasing evidences shows
that stiffness of the skin environment determines the regenerative ability during
wound healing process. Mechanotransduction pathways are also involved in the morphogenesis
and cyclic growth of hair follicles. The development of androgenetic alopecia is correlated
to tensile forces generated by the fibrous tissue underlying the scalp. Acral melanoma
predominantly occurs in the weight-bearing area of the foot suggesting the role of
mechanical stress. Increased dermal stiffness from fibrosis might be the cause of
recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa associated squamous cell carcinoma. Strategies
to change the mechanical forces or modify the mechanotransduction signals may lead
to a new way to treat skin diseases and promote skin regeneration.
Keywords
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Biography
Chao-Chun Yang, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. He obtained his M.D. and Ph.D. degree from National Cheng Kung University and continuously served as a clinician in National Cheng Kung University Hospital. He did his postdoctoral research during 2008–2010 in the Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, USA, under the instruction of Dr. George Cotsarelis. Dr. Yang studied on hair reconstitution assays and the interaction between dermal adipose tissue and hair follicles. His recent focus is mechanobiology in the hair regeneration and alopecia.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 08, 2018
Accepted:
March 5,
2018
Received:
February 5,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
