title: Desmosomes: regulators of cellular signaling and adhesion in epidermal health and disease.
abstract: Desmosomes are intercellular junctions that mediate cell-cell adhesion and anchor the intermediate filament network to the plasma membrane, providing mechanical resilience to tissues such as the epidermis and heart. In addition to their critical roles in adhesion, desmosomal proteins are emerging as mediators of cell signaling important for proper cell and tissue functions. In this review we highlight what is known about desmosomal proteins regulating adhesion and signaling in healthy skin-in morphogenesis, differentiation and homeostasis, wound healing, and protection against environmental damage. We also discuss how human diseases that target desmosome molecules directly or interfere indirectly with these mechanical and signaling functions to contribute to pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611 Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
authors.forename: Jodi L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
authors.forename: Nicole A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Najor
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611 Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
authors.forename: Kathleen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012873:Skin Diseases, Genetic / Q000503:physiopathology