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The non‐coding skin: Exploring the roles of long non‐coding RNA s in epidermal homeostasis and disease
Author(s) -
Hombach Sonja,
Kretz Markus
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.201300068
Subject(s) - biology , homeostasis , progenitor , compartment (ship) , progenitor cell , rna , microbiology and biotechnology , long non coding rna , gene , disease , computational biology , stem cell , genetics , medicine , pathology , oceanography , geology
Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently gained increasing attention because of their crucial roles in gene regulatory processes. Functional studies using mammalian skin as a model system have revealed their role in controlling normal tissue homeostasis as well as the transition to a diseased state. Here, we describe how lncRNAs regulate differentiation to preserve an undifferentiated epidermal progenitor compartment, and to maintain a functional skin permeability barrier. Furthermore, we will reflect on recent work analyzing the impact of lncRNAs on the progression from normal epithelium to the development of skin disorders and cancer.