Physiological skin cell microenvironment

The physiological skin cell microenvironment is a complex, multi-layered system comprising various cell types, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and resident immune cells, all integrated within a specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) [1]. This microenvironment functions as a dynamic niche that maintains tissue homeostasis and provides a robust barrier against environmental pathogens, UV radiation, and mechanical stress through coordinated signaling pathways [2]. Furthermore, the microenvironment's physical properties, such as pH and hydration levels, play a vital role in regulating the activity of antimicrobial peptides and the resident microbiome. Dysregulation of this environment is a primary driver in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, as well as in the formation of a pro-tumorigenic niche in skin cancers like melanoma [3]. Therapeutic strategies targeting this microenvironment often focus on modulating specific signaling molecules, such as cytokines, or restoring the structural integrity of the ECM and epidermal barrier to re-establish a healthy physiological state [4].

Other names

Skin microenvironmentCutaneous microenvironmentDermal nicheSkin nicheEpidermal-dermal microenvironment

Modulation of the extracellular matrix composition, regulation of inflammatory cytokine signaling (e.g., IL-17, IL-4/13), and restoration of the physical and chemical epidermal barrier.