Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Cultivating a Three-dimensional Reconstructed Human Epidermis at a Large Scale
Published on: May 28, 2021
Eph/ephrin signaling in epidermal differentiation and disease
Samantha Lin1, Bingcheng Wang, Spiro Getsios
1Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and ephrin ligands facilitate cell communication, crucial for skin health. Dysregulation of this pathway impacts skin conditions, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Eph receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and ephrin ligands mediate cell-cell communication.
- This signaling pathway is vital for tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis.
- Eph/ephrin signaling is present in various skin structures, including epidermis and hair follicles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of Eph receptors and ephrins in epidermal keratinocytes.
- To explore their function in keratinocyte proliferation, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis.
- To examine the involvement of Eph/ephrin signaling in skin diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Eph/ephrin signaling in skin.
- Analysis of the role of Eph receptors and ephrins in keratinocyte behavior.
- Examination of the association between Eph/ephrin axis alterations and skin disorders.
Main Results:
- Eph/ephrin signaling modulates keratinocyte proliferation, migration, differentiation, and death.
- Activation of Eph receptors by ephrins is critical for intercellular junction maturation during keratinocyte differentiation.
- Altered Eph/ephrin signaling is linked to skin conditions like malignancy, impaired wound healing, and inflammation.
Conclusions:
- The Eph/ephrin cell-cell communication pathway plays a significant role in epidermal homeostasis.
- Dysregulation of this axis is associated with various dermatological disorders.
- Targeting the Eph/ephrin pathway may offer therapeutic strategies for restoring skin integrity.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...

