Thematic Review Series: Skin Lipids. Antimicrobial lipids at the skin surface
Open accessAbstract
The skin surface represents our interface with the external environment, and as such, is our first line of defense against microbial colonization and infection. Lipids at the skin surface are thought to underlie at least part of an antimicrobial barrier. Some of these lipids are synthesized in the epidermis and are carried to the surface as cells differentiate, whereas others are secreted onto the surface from the sebaceous glands. One such group, free sphingoid bases, are known to have broad antimicrobial activity, and our previous studies demonstrate their presence at the skin surface. Free sphingoid bases may be generated by enzymatic hydrolysis of epidermal ceramides. In addition, our preliminary results demonstrate potent antibacterial activity associated with two specific fatty acids derived from sebaceous triglycerides. Most remarkably, one of these fatty acids (sapienic acid, C16:1Delta6), in combination with a low concentration of ethanol, is very effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In fact, this combination was far more effective than mupirocin with or without ethanol. Mupirocin is a "gold standard" for activity against MRSA.
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Bacterial lipase activity leads to an increased presence of free fatty acids on the surface of the skin and to an altered sebum composition.
“This bacterial lipase activity not only leads to an increased presence of FFA on the surface of the skin, but also to an altered sebum composition.58”
From Sebaceous-immunobiology is orchestrated by sebum lipids (2017) · cites this paper as [58]
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- Authors
- Drake, D. R., Brogden, K. A., Dawson, D. V., & Wertz, P. W.
- Affiliations
- University of Iowa (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Lipid Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2008-01
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 4-11
- ISSN
- 0022-2275 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2112160066
- Cited by
- 305
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 1.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Lipid Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sphingolipid Metabolism and Signaling
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery
- Keywords
- skin surface lipids, antimicrobial lipids, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, antibacterial activity, ethanol, mupirocin, skin barrier, sebaceous glands, epidermal differentiation
- MeSH terms
- Anti-Bacterial Agents, Epidermis, Fatty Acids, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Lipids, Sebaceous Glands, Skin, Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin Resistance, Mupirocin, Skin Diseases, Bacterial, Lipid Metabolism
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