Genetic Skin Diseases: Types, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Genetic skin diseases
Introduction
The skin constitutes the largest organ of human body and provides protection against various
threats in the form of physical, chemical and biological factors. It also functions to prevent
dehydration and also plays a significant role in thermoregulation. The skin is composed of a
variety of cell types and forms a continuous lining with the mucous membranes (Kanitakis.
2002). The diverse kinds of cells in the skin secrete specific molecules that participate in the
complex interactions and intercellular communication for maintaining the structural and
functional integrity of the skin. Hence, any mutation in one of such molecules holds the potential
to disrupt the delicate organization and function of the essential networks, resulting in cell
separation, blistering, and other lethal and sub-lethal phenotypes observed in inherited skin
diseases (DeStefano & Christiano). A genetic disease may be defined as an abnormality in the
genetic makeup of an individual which can range from a discrete mutation in a single base of a
single gene to a gross chromosome abnormality in the form of an extra or a loss of an entire
chromosome or a part thereof. In some cases, individuals may inherit genetic disorders from
parents, while in some others, acquired changes or mutations in a preexisting gene or group of
genes may lead to the development of a genetic disease. Genetic skin diseases commonly
referred to as genodermatosis, are known to primarily affect the skin and its appendages and
develop as a result of the mutations, which could be either single-gene or polygene in nature.
Substantial progress has been made, in the last couple of decades, in elucidating the genes that
underlie a variety of skin diseases and a wide range of phenotypes. Significant advancements in
histological, ultra-structural, and immunological analyses have provided molecular clues into the
defects underlying the pathologies of several inherited skin diseases. One challenging goal in the
study of inherited skin diseases is to identify the causative gene(s) responsible for the
development of phenotype in a given genodermatosis and understand its role in maintaining the
integrity of the skin. There are an estimated 5,000 genetic diseases in all, of which around one
third involve the skin. In addition to the commonly prevalent genetic skin diseases like-
carcinoma, lupus, acne, psoriasis and other; there are certain others in this category which have
been listed below.
Ichthyosis- It refers to a condition that leads to the development of a persistent thick, dry skin
often called as the "fish-scale" skin. The term Ichthyosis is derived from the Greek, meaning

“fish scales”, with a reference to the characteristic appearance of the skin. The most common
type, which accounts for 95% of cases, is ichthyosis vulgaris affecting 1 in 250-1,000 people. It
is mostly mild and in many cases mistaken for normal dry skin but rare types of ichthyosis can
be severe and even life threatening.
Ectodermal dysplasia ectodermal dysplasia also called as skin fragility syndrome affects the
normal development of ectodermal tissues- hair, nails, teeth, skin and sweat glands. It results
from mutations in one of several genes namely EDA, EDAR, EDARADD, and WNT10A. EDA
gene mutations are the most common cause of the disorder, which accounts for more than 50%
of all cases. EDAR, EDARADD, and WNT10A gene mutations each contribute to a smaller
percentage of cases.
Epidermolysis Bullosa results in blistering at the slightest touch. Then skin becomes so fragile
that a light knock could open a wound or a gentle rub leave it sore and bleeding. There are many
different types and degrees of severity of the rare inherited skin disorder and it is not the skin
only that is affected. The condition develops as a result of mutations in any of 18 different genes
that make proteins that “stick” the top and bottom layer of skin together. As of the present times,
there is no cure and the doctors can only strive to minimize the effects. The big threat to the
patients with severe EB is squamous cell skin cancer. Most start to develop it in their 20s, 30s
and 40s but the youngest case was a child aged six, and there have been several in their early
teens. It is a leading cause of death.
Progressive symmetrical erythrokeratodermia an autosomal dominant genodermatosis with
variable penetrance as described by Darier in 1911. It is a rare condition characterized by
erythematous and keratotic plaques, that are clearly defined and symmetrically distributed
frequently along the extremities, buttocks and rarely, on the face (Guaraldi et al., 2013). Often
referred to as the Gottron syndrome or Darier-Grotton erythrokeratodermia, it was described in
1911 by Darier, however, Grotton, in 1923, coined the name for this particular condition.
According to Darier, progressive symmetrical erythrokeratodermia is a rare keratinization
disorder, marked by non-migratory keratotic plaques on an erythematous base that appear
perniciously and slowly on circinate areas and are surrounded by a delicate hyperpigmented
projection. These may be distributed symmetrically on elbows, knees, hands and feet. Clinically,
hyperkeratosis is observed by the presence of thickened plaques and is more stable than