Retinoids: a journey from the molecular structures and mechanisms of action to clinical uses in dermatology and adverse effects.
Retinoids are a class of compounds derived from vitamin A or having structural and/or functional similarities with vitamin A. They are classified into three generations based on their molecular structures. Inside the body, retinoids bind to several classes of proteins including retinoid-binding proteins and retinoid nuclear receptors. This eventually leads to the activation of specific regulatory regions of DNA - called the retinoic acid response elements - involved in regulating cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Several clinical trials have studied the role of topical and systemic retinoids in disease, and research is still ongoing. Currently, retinoids are used in several fields of medicine. This paper aims to review the structure, mechanisms of action, and adverse effects of retinoids, as well as some of their current uses in Dermatology.
a Department of Internal Medicine , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
Samar
S
Khalil
a Department of Internal Medicine , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
Tara
T
Bardawil
b Department of Dermatology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
Carla
C
Stephan
c Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
Nadine
N
Darwiche
b Department of Dermatology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
Ossama
O
Abbas
b Department of Dermatology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
Abdul Ghani
AG
Kibbi
c Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
Georges
G
Nemer
b Department of Dermatology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.|c Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.|d Department of Dermatology , Columbia University Medical Center , New York , NY , USA.
Mazen
M
Kurban
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D000287:Administration, Topical; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012176:Retinoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000209:etiology
D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors; D012176:Retinoids; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D014801:Vitamin A
Retinoids; acne vulgaris; isotretinoin; psoriasis; retinoic acid