Language
Country/Area
No result found
The mysterious skin repair process: How do keratinocytes play a key role in wound healing?
In human skin structure, keratinocytes account for 90% of epidermal cells and are the most important cell type in the epidermis. These cells not only protect our skin from environmental damage, but also play a key role in the wound healing process. Understanding the function of these cells and their importance in the wound healing process may give us a better grasp of the secrets of skin health.
The main function of keratinocytes is to form a barrier to resist the effects of heat, ultraviolet radiation, and pathogens, and to maintain skin health.
Function of keratinocytes
The main function of keratinocytes is to form a three-dimensional barrier to resist damage to the skin caused by heat, ultraviolet rays, dehydration, pathogens, etc. When pathogens invade the upper layers of the epidermis, keratinocytes produce pro-inflammatory mediators, such as CXCL10 and CCL2 (MCP-1), which attract monocytes, natural killer cells, T lymphocytes, and dendritic cells to the site of infection. , to accelerate the anti-epidemic response.
Keratinocytes will move to the edge of the wound during the wound healing process to fill the gap left by the wound.
Structure of keratinocytes
These cells contain several structural proteins (such as keratin), enzymes (such as proteases), lipids and antimicrobial peptides, which together maintain the skin's barrier function. When keratinocytes undergo keratinization, they rapidly produce keratin and undergo terminal differentiation to form the outer layer of keratinocytes, which are constantly shed and replaced.
The process of cell differentiation
The epidermal stem cells of the skin are located in the basal layer and are connected to the basement membrane through semi-adhesive bonds (hemidesmosome). These stem cells divide randomly to produce new stem cells or transitional proliferating cells. Some transitional proliferating cells will continue to proliferate, then migrate to the skin surface and differentiate, eventually forming mature keratinocytes.
At each stage of differentiation, keratinocytes express specific keratins, including keratin 1, keratin 5, keratin 10, and keratin 14.
Interaction with other cells
In the epidermis, keratinocytes are closely connected to other cell types such as melanocytes and Langerhans cells. They form tight bonds with nerves in the skin and help keep Langerhans cells and intradermal lymphocytes in place. In addition, keratinocytes regulate the immune system by producing anti-inflammatory mediators to protect the skin from external factors.
Role in wound healing
After trauma to the skin, keratinocytes quickly migrate to the damaged area to fill the gap. During the initial repair phase, keratinocytes from the hair follicles will first enter the damaged area and survive briefly during this period. Later, these cells will be replaced by keratinocytes from the epidermis.
Functional keratinocytes are crucial for the healing of eardrum perforations, and their role in wound healing is thought-provoking.
Aging process
Tissue homeostasis in the skin gradually decreases with age, in part because stem and progenitor cells have a reduced ability to self-renew or differentiate, resulting in broken collagen fibers and degradation of skin structure. This may promote the aging of keratinocytes, thereby affecting the speed of the healing process.
The efficiency of wound healing may be directly related to age and keratinocyte function.
The mysterious repair process of these keratinocytes reveals that they are not only the skin's protective barrier but also a key player in wound healing. With a better understanding of these cells, could we find more effective ways to promote skin healing, or even develop new treatments?
