Keratinocyte proliferative signaling

Keratinocyte proliferative signaling refers to the integrated network of molecular pathways that govern the mitotic activity and expansion of keratinocytes within the epidermis (Nestle et al., 2009). This process is tightly regulated by a variety of stimuli, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17 and IL-22 (Chiricozzi et al., 2011). These ligands activate critical intracellular cascades, most notably the MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, and JAK/STAT pathways, which drive the cell cycle and promote epidermal thickening (Zheng et al., 2007). While essential for normal skin maintenance and rapid repair following injury, aberrant activation of these signaling pathways is a primary driver of hyperproliferative skin disorders, most notably psoriasis, where it leads to the characteristic formation of plaques (Ghoreschi et al., 2011). Pharmacological intervention typically targets specific nodes within this signaling network—such as cytokine receptors or intracellular kinases—to suppress excessive proliferation and restore cutaneous homeostasis (Leonardi et al., 2012).

Other names

Keratinocyte proliferation pathwayEpidermal proliferative signalingKeratinocyte growth signaling

Inhibition of pro-proliferative cytokines (e.g., IL-17, IL-22), growth factor receptors (e.g., EGFR), or downstream signaling kinases (e.g., JAK, MAPK) to normalize keratinocyte turnover and epidermal thickness.