Inactivation of Autophagy Leads to Changes in Sebaceous Gland Morphology and Function

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.