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Notch Signaling and the Developing Skin Epidermis

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Notch Signaling in Embryology and Cancer

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 727))

Abstract

The innermost (basal) layer of the skin epidermis consists of proliferative progenitors which give rise to multiple differentiating layers providing a barrier that keeps the inside of the body moist and protects the body from outside assaults by physical, environmental and biological factors. The epidermis is maintained throughout life through the proliferation of stem cells and differentiation of their progeny. Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved molecular network that plays an essential role in cell fate determination during embryogenesis and also in postnatal life. Data from ongoing studies indicate that Notch signaling orchestrates the process of epidermal differentiation and proliferation through the sequential activity of different Notch ligands, receptors and downstream pathways.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pathological Anatomy, Department of Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Daniela Massi

  2. Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Ioannina “G. Hatzikosta”, Ioannina, Greece

    John Panelos

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  1. Daniela Massi
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  2. John Panelos
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Correspondence to Daniela Massi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, The Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany

    Jörg Reichrath

  2. Department of Internal Medicine I, The Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany

    Sandra Reichrath

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Massi, D., Panelos, J. (2012). Notch Signaling and the Developing Skin Epidermis. In: Reichrath, J., Reichrath, S. (eds) Notch Signaling in Embryology and Cancer. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 727. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0899-4_10

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