Ligand-Independent Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Hyperactivation Increases Sebaceous Gland Size and Sebum Secretion in Mice

The study investigated the effects of a constitutively active epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on sebaceous gland (SG) size and sebum production in Dsk5 mice. Results showed that Dsk5 mice exhibited increased sebum levels, enlarged SGs, and a higher number of proliferating cells compared to controls. The study suggested that EGFR hyperactivation promotes the proliferation of presebocytes, with c-myc identified as a key mediator of this effect. Additionally, there was an upregulation of stearoyl-CoA desaturases (Scd1 and Scd3), indicating altered lipid metabolism in Dsk5 sebocytes. The findings highlighted EGFR's role as a regulator of SG size, cell number, and lipid output, with increased c-myc expression contributing to the observed changes. The study also proposed that the discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro effects of EGFR on sebaceous lipogenesis could be due to differences in cell differentiation and EGFR expression levels.