TLDR Autophagy is crucial for normal sebaceous gland function and sebum composition.
The study investigated the effects of autophagy inactivation on sebaceous gland morphology and function by deleting the Atg7 gene in keratinocytes of mice. Male mice with the Atg7 gene inactivated developed an oily coat, had sebaceous glands twice as large as controls, increased sebocyte proliferation, and produced twice as much lipid per unit of hair. The lipid composition of their sebum showed a 40% reduction in free fatty acids and cholesterol, and a 5-fold increase in fatty acid methyl esters. The study concluded that autophagy played a significant role in regulating sebaceous gland function and sebum composition, highlighting its importance in maintaining normal gland function and lipid homeostasis.
22 citations,
July 2016 in “Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences” Genetic changes in mice help understand skin and hair disorders, aiding treatment development for acne and hair loss.
24 citations,
November 2015 in “Experimental Cell Research” Sebum from sebocytes is important for skin health and linked to conditions like acne and hair loss.
74 citations,
October 2015 in “Experimental Dermatology” Acne patients have higher levels of mTOR in their skin, which could be linked to future metabolic disease.
81 citations,
February 2014 in “EMBO molecular medicine” Activating Nrf2 in skin cells causes skin disease similar to chloracne in mice.
107 citations,
August 2012 in “Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology” The document concludes that understanding the sebaceous gland's development and function is key to addressing related skin diseases and aging effects.
April 2024 in “Cell death and differentiation” Cell death shapes skin stem cell environments, affecting inflammation, repair, and cancer.
75 citations,
August 2018 in “Biochemical pharmacology” Targeting the skin's endocannabinoid system could help treat skin disorders.
375 citations,
June 2013 in “Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular cell research” Cornification is how skin cells die to form the protective outer layer of skin, hair, and nails.
6 citations,
September 2021 in “Autophagy” Autophagy prevents early aging and maintains lipid and pheromone balance in mouse glands.
88 citations,
June 2019 in “Cell reports” Certain small molecules can promote hair growth by activating a cellular cleanup process called autophagy.
