Development and Homeostasis of the Sebaceous Gland

August 2012 in “ Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology ”

Catherin Niemann, Valerie Horsley

TLDR The document concludes that understanding the sebaceous gland's development and function is key to addressing related skin diseases and aging effects.

The 2012 document reviews the role of the sebaceous gland (SG) in skin homeostasis, detailing its structure, function, and the importance of its normal development and maintenance. It explores the signaling networks that control sebaceous lineage differentiation, which are crucial for addressing skin diseases related to SG abnormalities. The review provides insights from studies on mouse models and human SG-derived cell lines, which have identified stem cell populations responsible for sebocyte formation and the maintenance of SG homeostasis. It also discusses the role of various signaling pathways and transcriptional regulators in SG development and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the document examines the pathophysiological conditions associated with SG dysfunction, such as acne vulgaris, scarring alopecia, and sebaceous tumors, and notes the changes in SG associated with aging. Despite progress in understanding SG biology, the review highlights remaining questions about the molecular cues for stem cell compartment establishment and the mechanisms of sebaceous skin tumors.

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