This study aimed to identify KLK5-specific small molecule inhibitors which can serve as the foundation of a novel therapeutic for inflammatory skin disorders.
Kallikrein-related peptidases KLK5, KLK7 and KLK14 are important proteases in skin desquamation and aberrant KLK activity is associated with inflammatory skin diseases such as Netherton syndrome but also with various serious forms of cancer.
Factors involved in the pathogenesis of this common yet complex skin disorder include kallikrein-related peptidase 5 (KLK5), LL-37, as well as protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
On the other hand, cells positive for serine proteases kallikrein 5 and 7 were increased in parakeratotic and inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis.