Keratinocyte migration and differentiation

Keratinocyte migration and differentiation represent a coordinated series of biological events essential for the maintenance and repair of the skin's epidermal barrier. During differentiation, basal keratinocytes transition through various stages of maturation, eventually forming the stratum corneum, characterized by the expression of structural proteins like filaggrin and involucrin. Migration is a pivotal step in wound healing (re-epithelialization), where keratinocytes at the wound edge move to seal the denuded area. In pathological states such as psoriasis, differentiation is accelerated and incomplete (parakeratosis), while in chronic diabetic wounds, both migration and differentiation are significantly impaired, preventing wound closure. Although these processes are key focus areas for dermatological research and drug development, they are biological outcomes rather than specific molecular targets. Therapeutic strategies typically involve modulating specific upstream molecules, such as the Vitamin D receptor or EGFR, to restore normal keratinocyte behavior.

Other names

Re-epithelializationEpidermal differentiationKeratinizationKeratinocyte maturation

Not applicable as this is a biological process; however, pharmacological agents modulate these events by targeting specific receptors such as the Vitamin D receptor (VDR), Retinoic acid receptors (RAR/RXR), and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR).