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Cited by 561Acne and Rosacea Treatments and EffectsDermatology and Skin DiseasesLipid metabolism and biosynthesis

Acne and sebaceous gland function

Zouboulis, Christos C.·2004·Clinics in Dermatology
DOI 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2004.03.004
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Abstract

The embryologic development of the human sebaceous gland is closely related to the differentiation of the hair follicle and the epidermis. The number of sebaceous glands remains approximately the same throughout life, whereas their size tends to increase with age. The development and function of the sebaceous gland in the fetal and neonatal periods appear to be regulated by maternal androgens and by endogenous steroid synthesis, as well as by other morphogens. The most apparent function of the glands is to excrete sebum. A strong increase in sebum excretion occurs a few hours after birth; this peaks during the first week and slowly subsides thereafter. A new rise takes place at about age 9 years with adrenarche and continues up to age 17 years, when the adult level is reached. The sebaceous gland is an important formation site of active androgens. Androgens are well known for their effects on sebum excretion, whereas terminal sebocyte differentiation is assisted by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligands. Estrogens, glucocorticoids, and prolactin also influence sebaceous gland function. In addition, stress-sensing cutaneous signals lead to the production and release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone from dermal nerves and sebocytes with subsequent dose-dependent regulation of sebaceous nonpolar lipids. Among other lipid fractions, sebaceous glands have been shown to synthesize considerable amounts of free fatty acids without exogenous influence. Sebaceous lipids are responsible for the three-dimensional skin surface lipid organization. Contributing to the integrity of the skin barrier. They also exhibit strong innate antimicrobial activity, transport antioxidants to the skin surface, and express proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Acne in childhood has been suggested to be strongly associated with the development of severe acne during adolescence. Increased sebum excretion is a major factor in the pathophysiology of acne vulgaris. Other sebaceous gland functions are also associated with the development of acne, including sebaceous proinflammatory lipids; different cytokines produced locally; periglandular peptides and neuropeptides, such as corticotrophin-releasing hormone, which is produced by sebocytes; and substance P, which is expressed in the nerve endings at the vicinity of healthy-looking glands of acne patients. Current data indicate that acne vulgaris may be a primary inflammatory disease. Future drugs developed to treat acne not only should reduce sebum production and Propionibacterium acnes populations, but also should be targeted to reduce proinflammatory lipids in sebum, down-regulate proinflammatory signals in the pilosebaceous unit, and inhibit leukotriene B(4)-induced accumulation of inflammatory cells. They should also influence peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor regulation. Isotretinoin is still the most active available drug for the treatment of severe acne.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2004.03.004

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  • Sebaceous lipids make an important contribution in maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier along with lipids of epidermal origin, thus contributing to the body's first line of defence.

    “Moreover, sebaceous lipids make an important contribution in maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier along with lipids of epidermal origin2,52 thus contributing to the body's first line of defence.53”

    From Sebaceous-immunobiology is orchestrated by sebum lipids (2017) · cites this paper as [52]

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Authors
Zouboulis, C. C.
Affiliations
Stiftung Charité (DE)
Corresponding author
Zouboulis, Christos C.
ORCID
Zouboulis, Christos C.
Venue
Clinics in Dermatology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-09
Volume
22
Issue
5
Pages
360-366
ISSN
0738-081X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.clindermatol.2004.03.004
OpenAlex
W2031661874
Cited by
561
References
85
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 55 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 19
FWCI
14.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Clinics in Dermatology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
Keywords
sebaceous glands, sebum production, androgens, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, sebaceous lipids, corticotropin-releasing factor, substance P, Propionibacterium acnes, skin barrier, epidermal differentiation, adrenarche
MeSH terms
Acne Vulgaris, Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Child, Dermatologic Agents, Humans, Neuropeptides, Sebaceous Glands, Sebum, Cytokines, Inflammation Mediators

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