Relationship of mutation in adhesion molecules and cytokeratins with hair follicle diseases

Adhesion molecules and cytokeratins are essential for the development of hair follicles and their maintenance. These molecules seem to be responsible for the follicular germ downgrowth and signaling with mesenchymal cells for the correct development of hair follicles. In adulthood, changes in their functions are related to numerous pathologies that lead to hair shaft disorders and cicatricial and non-cicatricial alopecia. This work reviews the main adhesion molecules: cadherins, integrins and cytokeratins and their relationship with hair follicle pathologies.