Abnormal Differentiation of Epidermis in Transgenic Mice Constitutively Expressing Cyclooxygenase-2 in Skin
May 2001
in “
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
”
cyclooxygenase-2 COX-2 prostaglandin hair follicle density hair follicle morphogenesis interfollicular epidermis sebaceous gland hyperplasia sebum epidermal hyperplasia basal keratinocytes dysplastic features prostaglandins hair follicles skin epidermis sebaceous glands skin oil skin thickening skin cells
TLDR Overexpression of COX-2 in mice skin causes abnormal skin and hair development.
The study investigated the effects of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression in the skin of transgenic mice, revealing abnormal epidermal differentiation and hair follicle development. The mice exhibited delayed hair follicle morphogenesis, reduced hair follicle density, and sebaceous gland hyperplasia, resulting in greasy hair. The epidermis showed hyperplasia with disturbed differentiation, evidenced by suppressed expression of keratin 10, involucrin, and loricrin. Despite increased prostaglandin levels, no inflammation was observed. The findings suggested that COX-2 overexpression could contribute to premalignant lesions and potentially skin carcinogenesis, indicating its role in skin pathology.
