Protease-Activated Receptor-2 Is Associated with Terminal Differentiation of Epidermis and Eccrine Sweat Glands.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) participates in various biological activities, including the regulation of epidermal barrier homeostasis, inflammation, pain perception, and melanosome transfer in the skin.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the basic physiological role of PAR-2 in skin.

METHODS:

We investigated PAR-2 expression in human epidermis, skin tumors, and cultured epidermal cells using western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Additionally, we examined the effect of the PAR-2 agonist, SLIGRL-NH2, on cultured keratinocytes.

RESULTS:

Strong PAR-2 immunoreactivity was observed in the granular layer of normal human skin and the acrosyringium of the eccrine sweat glands. In contrast, weak PAR-2 immunoreactivity was seen in the granular layer of callused skin and in the duct and gland cells of the eccrine sweat glands. Interestingly, PAR-2 immunoreactivity was very weak or absent in the tumor cells of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and syringoma. PAR-2 was detected in primary keratinocytes and SV-40T-transformed human epidermal keratinocytes (SV-HEKs), an immortalized keratinocyte cell line, but not in SCC12 cells. SV-HEKs that were fully differentiated following calcium treatment displayed higher PAR-2 expression than undifferentiated SV-HEKs. Treatment of cultured SV-HEKs with PAR-2 agonist increased loricrin and filaggrin expression, a terminal differentiation marker.

CONCLUSION:

Our data suggest that PAR-2 is associated with terminal differentiation of epidermis and eccrine sweat glands.

• Authors: Yong-Sup Shin, Hyung Won Kim, Chang Deok Kim, Hyun-Woo Kim, Jin Woon Park, Sunggyun Jung, Jeung-Hoon Lee, Young-Kwon Ko, Young Ho Lee
• Journal: Annals of dermatology (Ann Dermatol) Vol. 27 Issue 4 Pg. 364-70 (Aug 2015) ISSN: 1013-9087 [Print] Korea (South)
• PMID: 26273149 (Publication Type: Journal Article)