Sebaceous lipids are essential for water repulsion, protection against UVB-induced apoptosis and ocular integrity in mice

摘要: Sebocytes, which are characterized by lipid accumulation that leads to cell disruption, can be found in hair follicle-associated sebaceous glands (SGs) or free SGs such as the Meibomian eyelids. Because genetic tools allow targeting of sebocytes while maintaining intact epidermal lipids lacking, relevance health and disease remains poorly understood. Using Scd3, is expressed exclusively mature sebocytes, we established a mouse line with sebocyte-specific expression Cre recombinase. Both RT-PCR analysis crossing into Rosa26-lacZ reporter mice Kras(G12D) confirmed activity specifically SGs, no other skin compartments. Importantly, loss SCD3 function did not cause detectable phenotypical alterations, endorsing usefulness Scd3-Cre for further functional studies. Scd3-Cre-induced, diphtheria chain A toxin-mediated depletion resulted impaired water repulsion thermoregulation, increased rates UVB-induced apoptosis caused severe pathology ocular surface resembling gland dysfunction. This novel will useful investigating roles eye integrity.