Autoimmune & ArthritisTRPV1 Channels Drive Skin Aging and Disease — and May Be Targetable
TRPV1 is a heat- and capsaicin-sensitive ion channel found throughout the skin in nerve fibers, keratinocytes, immune cells, and fibroblasts. When activated, it floods cells with calcium, triggering neuropeptide release and neurogenic inflammation. This review explores how TRPV1 regulates normal skin functions — barrier repair, wound healing, and hair follicle cycling — and how its dysregulation drives skin diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, melanoma, and age-related skin deterioration. Critically, aberrant TRPV1 activity is directly linked to skin aging, making it a compelling therapeutic target. Emerging strategies to block or modulate TRPV1 show promise for reducing itching, hypersensitivity, and the visible and functional decline of aging skin. The authors map out both the scientific opportunities and clinical translation challenges ahead.
