Skin Diseases: Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Approaches

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 1504

Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Interests: minimally invasive treatment and diagnostics; medical photography; mycology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Interests: keratinocyte skin cancer; minimally invasive treatment modalities; tumor cell kinetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Interests: immunology; T cells; macrophages; RNAseq

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The discipline of Dermatology is currently experiencing profound changes and rapid adaptations to the ongoing progress in recognition of novel disease mechanisms. The application of novel technologies and -omic approaches in the study of the skin under homeostasis and pathological conditions has transformed our understanding of its function as an intricate network of histogenetically different cellular populations that are organized in anatomically distinct compartments, yet with constant communication in health and disease. This understanding has rapidly translated into the advent of innovative therapeutic approaches based on targeting relevant biomolecular pathways in the tissue. Finely tuned processes of biochemical cascades that pertain to biomolecules and small molecules signaling, safeguard skin tissue renewal homeostasis across the spatio-temporal cellular differentiation of the healthy epidermis in interaction with the subepithelial skin compartments and the extracutaneous tissues in the organism. Not to forget, at this point, the emerging role of the crosstalk between the skin microbiome and the cutaneous cellular tissue components. Accordingly, current advances in dermatology are based mainly on (a) the recognition of immune pathways that participate in disease pathogenesis and (b) seminal developments in the field of cutaneous biology. The former has revolutionized the therapeutics of many highly prevalent skin conditions (immunological therapies,  initially for psoriasis and, meanwhile, also for atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and more recently, urticaria, pemphigus, alopecia areata, vitiligo, skin neoplasms, etc.). On the other hand, core advances in the field of skin physiology are expected to lead to efficient therapeutic modalities for a series of severe dermatoses, including severe congenital skin conditions and the pathogenesis of distinctive integumental pathologies, e.g., pruritus.

We welcome original research and review articles that explore the following:

Pathophysiological insights into inflammatory skin diseases, autoimmune conditions, and skin cancers, with emphasis on molecular and cellular interactions implicated in disease development.

Seminal findings on the mechanisms of healthy skin homeostasis, cutaneous tissue repair adaptations, skin interactions with pathogens, and novel therapeutic approaches within the context of skin biology.

Translational studies connecting experimental findings with clinical outcomes in dermatology, highlighting biomarkers, mechanisms of action, and pathway-informed approaches that underpin treatment strategies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Georgios Gaitanis
Prof. Dr. Ioannis D. Bassukas
Dr. Achilleas Floudas
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • skin
  • pathophysiology
  • immunology
  • biochemistry
  • omics

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 10032 KB  
Article
Konjac Ceramide Induces Semaphorin 3A Expression via the MAPK/AP-1 Signaling Axis and RORα in Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes
by Mirei Fujita, Yayoi Kamata, Nanami Tanemoto, Nobuaki Takahashi, Mitsutoshi Tominaga and Kenji Takamori
Biomolecules 2026, 16(5), 755; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16050755 - 21 May 2026
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Abstract
Epidermal hyperinnervation is a major cause of intractable itch in barrier dysfunction conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Keratinocyte-derived semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) suppresses epidermal hyperinnervation, but its expression is markedly reduced in barrier-disrupted skin. Although konjac ceramide (kCer) has been reported to act as [...] Read more.
Epidermal hyperinnervation is a major cause of intractable itch in barrier dysfunction conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Keratinocyte-derived semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) suppresses epidermal hyperinnervation, but its expression is markedly reduced in barrier-disrupted skin. Although konjac ceramide (kCer) has been reported to act as a Sema3A-like ligand, the mechanisms by which it regulates Sema3A expression in keratinocytes remain unclear. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) were treated with kCer, konjac glucosylceramide (kGlcCer), or C24 ceramide. Sema3A mRNA and protein levels were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The involvement of intracellular signaling was examined using mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors, activator protein-1 (AP-1) inhibitors, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) inverse agonists, and siRNAs targeting c-Jun, c-Fos, and RORα. kCer induced Sema3A expression in NHEKs more potently than kGlcCer or C24 ceramide and promoted Sema3A protein secretion. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic knockdown of MEK1/2, JNK, AP-1 components, or RORα significantly attenuated kCer-induced Sema3A expression, indicating involvement of the MAPK/AP-1 signaling axis and RORα. kCer upregulates Sema3A expression in human keratinocytes through MAPK/AP-1 signaling and RORα, suggesting it may represent a promising antipruritic agent for epidermal hyperinnervation associated with skin barrier dysfunction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Diseases: Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Approaches)
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Review

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17 pages, 1398 KB  
Review
Biochemical Changes and Molecular Mechanisms Mediated by Sulfur Dioxide in Healthy Skin and Dermatological Disorders
by Mircea Tampa, Ilinca Nicolae, Madalina Irina Mitran, Cristina Iulia Mitran, Clara Matei, Milena Tocut, Simona Roxana Georgescu, Cosmin Ene, Cristina Capusa and Corina Daniela Ene
Biomolecules 2026, 16(6), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16060915 - 19 Jun 2026
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Abstract
The skin serves as the body’s first line of defense against environmental threats, acting as a barrier between external aggressors and internal systems. Current evidence regarding the roles of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in biology and medicine is limited. Environmental pollutants, including [...] Read more.
The skin serves as the body’s first line of defense against environmental threats, acting as a barrier between external aggressors and internal systems. Current evidence regarding the roles of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in biology and medicine is limited. Environmental pollutants, including SO2, can increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the skin, leading to oxidative damage that may worsen various dermatological conditions. Endogenous SO2, proposed as the fourth member of the gasotransmitter family, functions as a biological signaling molecule. It is generated in various human skin cells, including vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, mast cells, keratinocytes, macrophages, adipocytes, fibroblasts, dermal immune cell population, etc, where it performs multiple functions at physiologically relevant concentrations. Endogenous SO2 plays a crucial role in regulating cell signaling and maintaining skin homeostasis through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects. Abnormal generation and metabolism of SO2 are linked to several critical processes in the skin, including vascular biology, immune response, cell proliferation, pigmentation, malignancy, protective barriers, senescence, and resistance to stress. This paper provides a narrative review of the significant roles of SO2 in skin health and disease. A comprehensive understanding of the complex molecular effects and mechanisms mediated by SO2 in human skin, along with the development of gas therapy, will be essential for translating fundamental research into clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Diseases: Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Approaches)
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