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Updated: Oct 21, 2025
Scratch Migration Assay and Dorsal Skinfold Chamber for In Vitro and In Vivo Analysis of Wound Healing
Published on: September 26, 2019
Calcium Channels: Noteworthy Regulators and Therapeutic Targets in Dermatological Diseases
Min Wang1, Yaoxiang Sun2, Linli Li1
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Stem Cell, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
Abstract:
Dysfunctional skin barrier and impaired skin homeostasis may lead to or aggravate a series of dermatologic diseases. A large variety of biological events and bioactive molecules are involved in the process of skin wound healing and functional recovery. Calcium ions (Ca2+) released from intracellular stores as well as influx through plasma membrane are essential to skin function. Growing evidence suggests that calcium influx is mainly regulated by calcium-sensing receptors and channels, including voltage-gated, transient potential receptor, store-operated, and receptor-operated calcium channels, which not only maintain cellular Ca2+ homeostasis, but also participate in cell proliferation and skin cell homeostasis through Ca2+-sensitive proteins such as calmodulin (CaM). Furthermore, distinct types of Ca2+ channels not merely work separately, they may work concertedly to regulate cell function. In this review, we discussed different calcium-sensing receptors and channels, including voltage-gated, transient receptor potential, store-operated, and receptor-operated calcium channels, particularly focusing on their regulatory functions and inherent interactions as well as calcium channels-related reagents and drugs, which is expected to bridge basic research and clinical applications in dermatologic diseases.
Insights
Calcium ions (Ca2+) are crucial for skin barrier function and healing. This review explores how various calcium channels regulate skin homeostasis and their potential in treating dermatologic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
- Calcium Signaling
Background:
- Skin barrier dysfunction and impaired homeostasis contribute to dermatologic diseases.
- Skin wound healing involves complex biological events and molecules, with calcium ions (Ca2+) playing a vital role.
- Calcium ions are essential for maintaining skin function, cell proliferation, and homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the roles of different calcium-sensing receptors and channels in skin function and homeostasis.
- To explore the interactions between various calcium channels and their collective regulation of cell function.
- To discuss calcium channel-related reagents and drugs for potential clinical applications in dermatologic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of calcium-sensing receptors and channels.
- Analysis of the regulatory functions and interactions of distinct calcium channel types.
- Examination of calcium channels-related reagents and drugs.
Main Results:
- Calcium influx, regulated by various channels (voltage-gated, TRP, SOC, ROC), is essential for skin homeostasis and cell proliferation.
- Calcium-sensitive proteins like calmodulin (CaM) mediate Ca2+ effects on cell function.
- Distinct calcium channels can interact and work concertedly to regulate cellular processes.
Conclusions:
- Calcium channels are critical regulators of skin homeostasis and wound healing.
- Understanding calcium channel mechanisms offers potential therapeutic strategies for dermatologic conditions.
- Further research bridging basic science and clinical applications of calcium channels in dermatology is warranted.
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