Keratin (skin type) and Extracellular matrix (skin)

Keratin is a family of structural proteins forming intermediate filaments, providing mechanical support and integrity to epithelial cells of the skin, hair, and nails; specific types are expressed in different skin layers and stages of differentiation, and mutations cause various skin disorders. The extracellular (intercellular) matrix in skin is a complex network of collagens, glycoproteins (e.g., fibronectin, laminin), and proteoglycans that fills the space between cells, provides structural scaffolding, influences cell behavior, anchors cells, mediates cell signaling, regulates hydration, and plays roles in homeostasis, wound healing, infection, and inflammation. Both keratin and the extracellular matrix are essential to skin structure and function but are biologically and therapeutically distinct categories.

Other names

Epidermal keratinKeratins (K1, K5, K10, etc.)CytokeratinExtracellular matrixECMIntercellular matrix

No drugs directly target keratin or the extracellular matrix as a single entity; however, drugs may modulate ECM breakdown (e.g., collagenase degrades matrix proteins; MMP inhibitors prevent matrix degradation).