Horm Metab Res 2007; 39(2): 110-124
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-961812
Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Neurotrophins Act as Neuroendocrine Regulators of Skin Homeostasis in Health and Disease

E. M. J. Peters 1 , U. Raap 2 , P. Welker 3 , A. Tanaka 4 , H. Matsuda 4 , S. Pavlovic-Masnicosa 1 , S. Hendrix 5 , C. Pincelli 6
  • 1Cutaneous Psychoneuroimmunology, Internal Medicine - Psychosomatics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • 2Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
  • 3Center of Anatomy, Department of Vegetative Anatomy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • 4Laboratory of Veterinary Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, Division of Animal Life Science, Graduate School, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
  • 5Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Center for Anatomy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • 6Institute of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

received 13. 4. 2006

accepted 2. 12. 2006

Publication Date:
27 February 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Neurotrophins regulate cutaneous innervation, act as growth and motility factors on structural skin cells such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts, modulate cutaneous immune function and even serve as stress mediators in skin biology. The multilayered neurotrophin interaction with skin biology through high affinity specific tyrosinekinase receptors and the Janus-faced p75 receptor, which depending on ligand and co-receptor expression can serve as a low-affinity pan-neurotrophin receptor or a high affinity proneurotrophin receptor, guaranties this neuroendocrine peptide family a central position in the control of skin homeostasis in health and disease. It is a challenging task for future research efforts to integrate our knowledge on differential neurotrophin expression patterns and signaling pathways into complex concepts of neuroendocrine tissue remodeling and pathogenetic processes. In addition, we need to improve our understanding of the role of neurotrophin processing enzymes, associated co-receptors and intracellular adaptor molecules in specific cutaneous cell populations to design precise interaction tools for research and treatment. Such tools will allow us to utilize this ancient growth factor family in the management of neurotrophin responsive pathogenetic pathways and cutaneous diseases such as neurogenic inflammation, peripheral nerve degeneration, wound healing, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.