IFN-γ reduces epidermal barrier function by affecting fatty acid composition of ceramide in a mouse atopic dermatitis model

Hiroyuki Kanoh, Asako Ishitsuka, Etsuko Fujine, Shuhei Matsuhaba, Mitsuhiro Nakamura, Hiroyasu Ito, Naoki Inagaki, Yoshiko Banno, Mariko Seishima

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

IFN-γ is detected in chronic lesions of atopic dermatitis (AD); however, its specific role remains to be elucidated. An impaired stratum corneum barrier function is a hallmark of AD, and it is associated with a reduction in ceramides with long-chain fatty acids (FAs) in the stratum corneum. FA elongases, ELOVL1 and ELOVL4, are essential for the synthesis of these ceramides, together with ceramide synthase 3 (CerS3). We have previously shown that IFN-γ, but not other cytokines, induced the downregulation of these enzymes in cultured keratinocytes. Our aim was to investigate the in vivo role of IFN-γ in the lesional skin of AD by analyzing mouse dermatitis models. The local mRNA expression of IFN-γ increased in mite fecal antigen-induced AD-like dermatitis in NC/Nga mice but not in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis in BALB/c mice. The mRNA expression of ELOVL1 and ELOVL4 significantly decreased in AD-like dermatitis, whereas ELOVL1 increased in psoriasis-like dermatitis. The expression of CerS3 increased slightly in AD-like dermatitis, but it increased by 4.6-fold in psoriasis-like dermatitis. Consistently, the relative amount of ceramides with long-chain FAs decreased in AD-like dermatitis but not in psoriasis-like dermatitis. These results suggest that IFN-γ in the lesional skin may reduce ceramides with long-chain FAs by decreasing the expression of ELOVL. Thus, IFN-γ may contribute to the chronicity of AD by impairing barrier function.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3030268
JournalJournal of Immunology Research
Volume2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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