Localization, Age- and Site-Dependent Expression, and Regulation of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 in Skin

The study examined the expression and regulation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) in human and murine skin, highlighting its role in skin aging. It was found that 11β-HSD1, which activates cortisol, was present in epidermal keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, and hair follicle cells, with increased activity in older individuals and in photoexposed skin compared to photoprotected skin. Glucocorticoid treatment further upregulated 11β-HSD1 expression. The study suggested that increased 11β-HSD1 activity and local glucocorticoid activation might contribute to skin aging and photoaging, and proposed that 11β-HSD1 inhibitors could potentially mitigate side effects of glucocorticoid therapy, particularly in the elderly. The research involved 9 lines of human dermal fibroblasts for cortisol treatment and 10 site-matched fibroblasts for age correlation analysis.