Denda M, Nakatani M, Ikeyama K, Tsutsumi M, Denda S, et al.
Experimental dermatology. Date of publication 2007 Mar 1;volume 16(3):157-61.
1. Exp Dermatol. 2007 Mar;16(3):157-61.
Epidermal keratinocytes as the forefront of the sensory system.
Denda M(1), Nakatani M, Ikeyama K, Tsutsumi M, Denda S.
Author information:
(1)Shiseido Life Science Research Center, Yokohama, Japan.
mitsuhiro.denda@to.shiseido.co.jp
Various sensors that respond to physical or chemical environmental factors have
been identified in the peripheral nervous system. Some of them, which respond to
mechanical stress, osmotic pressure, temperature and chemical stimuli (such as
pH), are also expressed in epidermal keratinocytes. Neurotransmitters and their
receptors, as well as receptors that regulate the neuroendocrine system of the
skin, are also present in keratinocytes. Thus, broadly speaking, epidermal
keratinocytes appear to be equipped with sensing systems similar to those of the
peripheral and central nervous systems. It had long been considered that only
nerve C-terminals in the epidermis play a role in skin surface perception.
However, building on earlier work on skin receptors and new findings introduced
here, we present in this review a novel hypothesis of skin sensory perception,
i.e. first, keratinocytes recognize various environmental factors, and then the
information is processed and conveyed to the nervous system.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2006.00529.x
PMID: 17286806 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
