The sebocyte culture: a model to study the pathophysiology of the sebaceous gland in sebostasis, seborrhoea and acne

Abstract

Acne is the most common skin disease which affects millions of people worldwide. Seborrhea and sebostasis are major cosmetic problems but also lead occasionally to diseases. This article summarizes the data of newest research of sebostasis, seborrhoea and acne made possible through the development of human and animal sebocyte culture models.

Beyond acne: Current aspects of sebaceous gland biology and function

“…PPARγ / RXRα and Liver-X receptor There are three subclasses of PPAR in humans: α, δ, and γ, which differ in their tissue localization and in their transcriptional activities. PPARs are expressed in human SGs [24,60] and in human SZ95 sebocytes [14,60,61]. Treatment of these cells with linoleic acid, a ligand for PPARδ and γ, increases the intracellular content of lipids [60].…”

“…1). Histologically, sebocytes are most commonly identified by lipophilic dyes such as Oil Red O, Nile Red and Sudan IV or immunostaining against lipogenic enzymes, specific keratins, and lipid-droplet associated proteins such as the perilipins [14][15][16][17] (Table 1). …”

“…The lack of an ideal animal model compatible to human SGs was surmounted in the last 10 years by the development of experimental models for the in vitro study of human SGs [14][15][16]19]. The latter have led to the identification of several, unknown or disregarded functions and finally to the complete revision of the SG role in human skin [20,21].…”

“…On the other hand, several medical conditions have been associated with the SG [14,18,22] ( Table 2). Currently, the SG has come to the center of attention for researchers in order to both develop new treatment strategies targeting the molecular mechanisms and pathways involved in the pathogenesis of SG and SG-associated diseases and to understand sebaceous lipogenesis and differentiation [23].…”

An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the pathogenesis of acne

“…18 Both lipoperoxides and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) are capable of inducing alteration in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, whereas peroxides are capable of inducing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR). 13,18 The biological function of sebocytes is further regulated by several factors including ligands of receptors expressed in sebocytes, such as androgens and estrogens, PPAR ligands and neuropeptides (NP), liver-X receptor ligands (LXR), histamines, retinoids and vitamin D. The ligand-receptor complexes activate pathways involving cell proliferation, differentiation, lipogenesis, hormone metabolism and cytokine and chemokine release 19 ( Fig. 2).…”