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The JNK Signaling Pathway in Inflammatory Skin Disorders and Cancer

Manel B Hammouda1, Amy E Ford1, Yuan Liu1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.

Cells
|April 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This review explores c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and their role in skin conditions like psoriasis and skin cancers. Understanding JNK pathways is key for immune disorders and cancer research.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Dermatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), a subfamily of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), regulate critical cellular functions.
  • JNK signaling pathways are implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, apoptosis, and inflammation.
  • Aberrant JNK pathway activity is linked to various immune disorders and cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of JNK proteins (JNK1, JNK2, JNK3) in common skin disorders.
  • To examine upstream regulators and downstream effectors of JNK signaling in dermatological conditions.
  • To consolidate current knowledge on JNK involvement in psoriasis, dermal fibrosis, scleroderma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of JNK signaling in skin biology and disease.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on JNK pathway components in specific dermatological conditions.
  • Synthesis of information on JNK regulators and effectors relevant to skin disorders.

Main Results:

  • JNK pathway dysregulation is a common feature in inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis and fibrotic conditions such as scleroderma.
  • JNK signaling plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of skin cancers, including BCC, SCC, and melanoma.
  • Specific upstream activators and downstream targets of JNK have been identified in various skin pathologies.

Conclusions:

  • JNK proteins are crucial mediators in the development and progression of numerous skin disorders.
  • Targeting the JNK pathway presents a potential therapeutic strategy for treating inflammatory and oncogenic skin conditions.
  • Further research into JNK signaling mechanisms can uncover novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for dermatological diseases.
Keywords:
BCCJNKSCCfibrosiskeratinocytesmelanomapsoriasissclerodermaskin inflammation

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