A Role for the Androgen Receptor in Collagen Content of the Skin

Abstract

Collagen, the major macromolecular component of skin, is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the tissue as well as for providing important functional characteristics, such as pliability and thickness. We have been studying the structure and regulation of collagen in mouse mutations affecting the skin. In the course of these studies, we found that there are significant differences in collagen content between the skin of wild-type male and female mice, which become evident at puberty. Furthermore, male mice with an X-linked mutation in the androgen receptor gene (formerly called testicular feminization and abbreviated as Ar(Tfm)) showed decreased levels of collagen, indicating that the androgen receptor pathway contributes to the observed differences. These findings demonstrate that there are striking differences in the collagen content of skin between male and female mice, and provide a biochemical explanation for these differences.

Perifollicular Fibrosis: Pathogenetic Role in Androgenetic Alopecia

“…25) For that reason, perifollicular fibrosis may be another pathogenetic mechanisms of AGA, not a simple phenomenon usually seen in AGA.…”

Hormonal Influences on Lung Function and Response to Environmental Agents: Lessons from Animal Models of Respiratory Disease

“…Markova and colleagues (64) reported that naïve, 16-week-old adult male C57BL/6 mice had approximately 25% more lung hydroxyproline, a measure of collagen content, than was observed in age-matched females. This increased level of lung collagen was not present in male mice deficient in the androgen receptor (ArTfm mice), suggesting a contribution of the androgen receptor pathway to the observed sex difference in lung collagen levels (64). Moreover, Lekgabe and colleagues (65) demonstrated an interesting synergism between the hormones relaxin and estrogen in the lung.…”

The impact of sex and sex hormones on lung physiology and disease: lessons from animal studies

“…Whether these observations are the result of androgenic, estrogenic, or a combination of sex hormone effects remains to be determined. Interestingly, Markova and colleagues (38) reported that naïve, adult male C57BL/6 mice (16 wk of age) had ϳ25% more lung hydroxyproline, a measure of collagen content, than agematched females. This increased level of lung collagen was not present in male mice deficient in the AR (Ar Tfm ), indicating a contribution of the AR pathway to the observed male-female differences in lung collagen levels (38).…”

“…Interestingly, Markova and colleagues (38) reported that naïve, adult male C57BL/6 mice (16 wk of age) had ϳ25% more lung hydroxyproline, a measure of collagen content, than agematched females. This increased level of lung collagen was not present in male mice deficient in the AR (Ar Tfm ), indicating a contribution of the AR pathway to the observed male-female differences in lung collagen levels (38). Lekgabe and colleagues (34) recently demonstrated an interesting synergism between the hormones relaxin and estrogen in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.…”