The Human Sebocyte Culture Model Provides New Insights Into Development and Management of Seborrhoea and Acne
January 1998
in “
Dermatology
”
sebocyte sebaceous gland acne free fatty acids interleukin 1α androgen spironolactone type 1 5α-reductase testosterone type 1 5α-reductase inhibitors type 2 5α-reductase inhibitors insulin thyroid-stimulating hormone hydrocortisone retinoids isotretinoin tretinoin sebaceous gland acne free fatty acids androgen spironolactone testosterone insulin thyroid-stimulating hormone hydrocortisone retinoids Accutane Retin-A
TLDR The human sebocyte culture model has improved understanding of oily skin and acne, and how they can be treated.
The human sebocyte culture model, established in 1989, has provided insights into sebaceous gland function and its regulation. Studies using this model have shown that human sebocytes maintain key characteristics in vitro, though they do not fully differentiate. It has been suggested that sebocytes could initiate acne lesions intrinsically, as they produce free fatty acids and express interleukin 1α without bacterial involvement. Androgen influence on sebocyte activity varies by gland location and can be blocked by spironolactone. Sebocytes express type 1 5α-reductase, metabolize testosterone, and are not feedback regulated in their 5α-reductase activity. Type 1 5α-reductase inhibitors were effective in down-regulating this activity, while type 2 inhibitors were less effective. Hormones like insulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and hydrocortisone stimulate sebocyte proliferation, suggesting complex hormonal control. Retinoids, especially isotretinoin, inhibited sebocyte proliferation and lipid synthesis, with isotretinoin being unaffected by vitamin A presence. The inhibitory effect of isotretinoin may be due to its conversion to tretinoin within sebocytes.
