The evolution of eccrine sweat gland research towards developing a model for human sweat gland function

Abstract

For several decades now, researchers, professional bodies, governments, and journals such as the journal of Experimental Dermatology have worked to reduce the number of animals used in experimentation. This review centres on investigations into how human sweat glands produce sweat and how that research has evolved over the years. It is hoped that this review will show that as methodologies advanced, sweat gland research has come to rely less and less on a variety of animal models as investigative tools and information is being primarily obtained through human and mouse material, with a view to further reductions in using animal models.

Integrated Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis of Human Eccrine Sweat Glands Identifies Missing and Novel Proteins

“…This finding validates the importance of this protein in regulating sweat chloride levels. Interestingly, we were also able to detect carbonic anhydrases (2,3,4,13) in the proteome and transcriptome of sweat gland, indicating that they may also alter electrolyte or pH balance in the sweat. Strikingly, proteomics data also showed enrichment for inflammation-mediated regulation of TRPV4 channels.…”

“…There are ϳ2-4 million sweat glands dispersed throughout the human body (1). Two distinct types of sweat glands exist in the human skin -eccrine sweat glands, which are not connected to a hair follicle; and apocrine sweat glands, which are connected to hair follicles (2). The duct of the eccrine sweat gland opens directly onto the skin surface enabling the gland to secrete water and salt-based liquid.…”

VEGFR-2 Is in a State of Activation in Hair Follicles, Sebaceous Glands, Eccrine Sweat Glands, and Epidermis from Human Scalp: An In Situ Immunohistochemistry Study of Phosphorylated VEGFR-2

“…p-VEGFR-2 was also detected in cuboidal cells in ESGs. Cuboidal cells are found both in the basal region of the ductus and in the secretory portion; 2 types of cuboidal cells are involved in sweat secretion, and secretion is controlled by the central nervous system [19,20]. However, VEGFR-2 activation in the daily routine of cuboidal cells remains completely unknown.…”

27TH Fondation René Touraine Annual SCIENTIFIC MEETING 2019

“…In contrast, some areas of skin appendage research have remained, with a few notable exceptions, relatively stagnant compared to where they stood 5‐10 years before, such as the biology and pathophysiology of eccrine and apocrine sweat glands, and the nail apparatus as well as the neuroendocrinology and neurobiology of hair follicles . Yet, recent methodological advances, for example in the intravital visualization of human eccrine sweat glands for microdissection and organ culture or in the 3D reconstruction and measurement of sweat production by fat‐suppressed proton density‐weighted MRI make us run out of excuses for not having dissected the physiology and molecular pathobiology of these remarkable skin appendages with the same attention to detail that HF and SG have long enjoyed.…”