Interactions between death receptors from the tumor necrosis factor superfamily and their ligands play a crucial role in the development and the integrity of the epidermis. The major consequence resulting from death receptor targeting is apoptosis. Evidence for dysregulation of death receptor signaling associated with the pathogenesis of selected cutaneous diseases, including toxic epidermal necrolysis, graft versus host disease, and skin cancer, are reviewed herein.
aDepartment of Dermatology, Zurich University Hospital, Gloriastrasse 31, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
bDepartments of Pathology–Immunology and Dermatology, University Medical Center and University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland