Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (Jun 2023)

Alterations of Autophagy Modify Lipids in Epidermal Keratinocytes

  • Geng Q,
  • Wei G,
  • Hu Y,
  • Xu J,
  • Song X

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 16
pp. 1569 – 1581

Abstract

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Qingwei Geng,1,* Guoqi Wei,2,* Yebei Hu,1 Jinhui Xu,1 Xiuzu Song1 1Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, People’s Republic of China; 2Hangzhou Fuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 322499, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xiuzu Song, Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, West Lake Road 38, Hangzhou, 310009, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-0571-87823102, Email [email protected]: The skin barrier is the first line of defense of the body, while skin lipids play an important role in the skin permeability barrier. Lamellar bodies are also involved in maintaining the stability of the skin permeability barrier. However, the exact origin of lamellar bodies remains unclear. Recent studies have suggested that autophagy may participate in the formation of lamellar bodies.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the role of autophagy in the formation of lamellar bodies in keratinocytes and the regulation of keratinocyte lipids.Methods: Keratinocytes were incubated with autophagy inducer Rapamycin and autophagy inhibitor Bafilomycin A1. The changes in autophagy flux were detected by Western blot, and the formation of lamellar bodies was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the changes in keratinocytes lipidomics were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results: Our research showed that the autophagy inducer promoted autophagy activation and formation of lamellar bodies in keratinocytes, while the inhibitor inhibited autophagy signals and the formation of lamellar bodies in keratinocytes. In addition, the lipidomics results revealed a significant change in glycerophospholipids after autophagy induction and autophagy inhibition.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that autophagy may play an essential role in skin lipids via glycerophospholipids pathway.Keywords: skin barrier, lipid, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, rapamycin, Bafilomycin A1, keratinocytes

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