p63 in corneal and epidermal differentiation

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2022 Jun 25:610:15-22. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.04.022. Epub 2022 Apr 9.

Abstract

The transcription factor p63, belonging to the p53 family, is considered the master regulator of epidermal differentiation, skin, and in general of the differentiation of ectodermal tissues. Mutations in TP63 gene cause several rare ectodermal dysplasia disorders that refers to epidermal structural abnormalities and ocular surface disease, such as Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia Clefting (EEC) syndrome. In this review, we discuss the key roles of p63 in keratinocytes and corneal epithelial differentiation, highlighting the function of the ΔNp63α isoform in driving limbal stem cell and epithelial stem cells commitment. We have summarized the specific ocular phenotypes observed in the TP63-mutation derived EEC syndrome, discussing the current and novel therapeutic strategies for the management of the ocular manifestations in EEC syndrome.

Keywords: Ectodermal dysplasia; Epithelia; Eye; Keratinocytes; Limbal stem cell; Skin; p63.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cleft Lip* / drug therapy
  • Cleft Palate* / drug therapy
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia* / drug therapy
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Transcription Factors

Supplementary concepts

  • Ectrodactyly-cleft lip-palate syndrome