Maternal thyroid disorders and developing skin dysfunctions.

What is it about?

Thyroid hormones (THs) have important roles on the most developing system, particularly the developing skin and differentiation the epithelial cells like keratinocytes. In addition, thyroid receptors isoforms (TRs; α, β) can regulate the growth and differentiation of the skin and the survival of hair follicles. Also, THs can induce the epidermal growth and the keratin gene expression by increasing the epidermal growth factor receptor number (EGF). Moreover, THs can stimulate the expression of laminin in various areas of skin that is an extracellular protein matrix. On the other hand, the maternal hypothyroidism causes several defects in the developing skin: (1) decrease the thickness of epidermis; (2) diminish the number of fetal hair follicles; (3) increase the levels of laminin expression in developing skin; (4) elevate the deposition of water and mucopolysacharides in dermis (yellowish skin); (5) decrease the epidermal proliferation rate; and (6) reduce the anabolic activities in developing skin. The maternal hyperthyroidism can cause the opposite behavior where hyperthyroidism decreases the levels of laminin in several parts of the skin. Thus, the maternal THs cause a negative effect on the levels of fetal/neonatal laminin expression. Also, the anabolic activities were increased in epidermis during the thyrotoxicosis. Thus, the disorders in the thyroid functions (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) during the pregnancy and lactation may disrupt the growth and differentiation of the developing skin. Additional thoughts are required to explore the effect of maternal thyroid disorders on the fetal/neonatal physiological processes.

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Why is it important?

the maternal THs cause a negative effect on the levels of fetal/neonatal laminin expression. Also, the anabolic activities were increased in epidermis during the thyrotoxicosis. Thus, the disorders in the thyroid functions (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) during the pregnancy and lactation may disrupt the growth and differentiation of the developing skin.

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