Roles of dendritic epidermal T cells in steady and different pathological states

Abstract

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and acts as the primary barrier to protect the body. Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETCs), which are specifically distributed in epidermal tissues, play a crucial role in skin immune surveillance and wound healing. DETCs are one of the most important components of the epidermis and exert a steady-state monitoring function, facilitating wound healing and tissue regeneration after skin injury. Skin wounds are often linked to other pathological conditions such as ageing, ultraviolet radiation, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and obesity. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate how DETCs regulate themselves and the external environment during these pathological states. DETCs interact closely with keratinocytes in the epidermis, and this intercellular interaction may be essential for maintaining health and integrity. In this review, we focus on the characteristics and underlying mechanisms of DETCs in maintaining epidermal homeostasis and re-epithelialization in different pathological states.