Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in the skin--implications for tissue repair and chronic wounds.

The skin is a complex organ composed by two essential components, the epidermis and the dermis. It is developed to protect the organism against all external damage e.g. infectious agents, uv and contains a number of different specialized cell types with distinct functions. The skin is also built up by extracellular matrix constituents, which are either arranged into basement membrane structures or form the interstitial connective tissue. There is extensive communication between and within the cellular compartments and the extracellular matrix at different levels to establish, maintain and restore skin homeostasis. It is the aim of our group to understand the mechanisms, how these different cellular and structural components communicate and to dissect the molecular basis of diseases resulting from disturbances of this balance. These include chronic inflammatory diseases, fibrosis and defective regulation of wound healing. This will allow the identification of new therapeutic targets that can be used to specifically interfere with defined steps leading to these diseases.