Greasy Hair Against Obesity: TSLP-Induced Sebum Production Reduces Fat

Choa et al. propose that increasing sebum production through thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) can reduce fat by pulling lipids from adipose tissue. Their study on mice showed that TSLP overexpression led to weight loss, decreased visceral fat, and improved metabolic homeostasis without affecting calorie intake or physical activity. T cells were crucial for this process, as TSLP stimulated sebum production and lipid absorption by sebocytes. The findings suggest a potential link between TSLP, immune cells, and lipid metabolism, indicating that TSLP might also regulate cholesterol metabolism and reduce liver damage in conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. However, the exact role of TSLP in human sebocyte regulation remains unclear, necessitating further research before clinical application.