The Central Roles of Keratinocytes in Coordinating Skin Immunity

Abstract

The function of keratinocytes (KCs) to form a barrier and produce cytokines is well-known, but recent progress has revealed many different roles for KCs in regulation of skin immunity. In this review, we provide an update on the current understanding of how KCs communicate with microbes, immunocytes, neurons, and other cells to form an effective immune barrier. We catalog the large list of genes and metabolites of KCs that participate in host defense and discuss the mechanisms of immune crosstalk, addressing how KCs simultaneously form a physical barrier, communicate with fibroblasts, and control immune signals. Overall, the signals sent and received by KCs are an exciting group of therapeutic targets to explore in the treatment of dermatologic disorders.