Epithelially Derived MPZL3 Negatively Regulates Murine and Human Sebaceous Gland Size and Sebocyte Proliferation

The study demonstrates that the protein Myelin Protein Zero-like 3 (MPZL3), which is found in the mitochondria of skin cells, plays a crucial role in regulating the size of sebaceous glands (SG) and the proliferation of sebocytes, the cells that make up these glands. In mice genetically modified to lack MPZL3 in their skin cells, the researchers observed an increase in SG size and sebocyte proliferation, a condition known as SG hypertrophy and sebocyte hyperplasia. Similarly, when MPZL3 was reduced in human SG organ cultures, there was a significant increase in SG hyperplasia and a non-significant increase in PPARγ expression and neutral lipid production. The findings suggest that understanding how MPZL3 regulates SG homeostasis could have important implications for treating skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, cicatricial alopecia, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and SG tumors.