Making sense of the epithelial barrier: what molecular biology and genetics tell us about the functions of oral mucosal and epidermal tissues.

摘要: The epidermis of skin and the oral mucosa are highly specialized stratified epithelia that function to protect body from physical chemical damage, infection, dehydration, heat loss. To maintain this critical barrier, epithelial tissues undergo constant renewal repair. Epithelial cells (keratinocytes) a program terminal differentiation, expressing set structural proteins, keratins, which assemble into filaments cell tissue integrity. Two types adhesion structures, desmosomes hemidesmosomes, glue keratinocytes one another basement membrane, connect keratin cytoskeleton surface. Keratinizing such as gingiva have withstand severe forces produce toughened structure, cornified envelope. This envelope is major component barrier at article summarizes our current understanding structure these different cellular components discusses various genetic acquired diseases alter integrity function. We also highlight recent work demonstrating how loss or attenuation certain proteases can lead early onset periodontitis tooth well other abnormalities.