The skin represents one of the tissues that are most profoundly influenced by alterations in the quality of
lipids (lipoquality).
Lipids not only constitute cellular membranes, but also serve as bioactive
lipid mediators and essential components of the skin barrier.
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2)
enzymes supply
fatty acids and
lysophospholipids from membrane
phospholipids, thereby variably affecting cutaneous homeostasis. Accordingly, perturbation of particular PLA2-driven
lipid pathways can be linked to various forms of
skin disease. In this review article, we highlight the roles of several PLA2 subtypes in cutaneous pathophysiology, as revealed by transgenic/knockout studies in combination with comprehensive lipidomics. We focus mainly on secreted PLA2 group IIF (sPLA2-IIF), which is associated with epidermal
hyperplasia through mobilization of a unique
lipid metabolite. We also address the distinct roles of sPLA2-IIE in hair follicles and sPLA2-IID in lymphoid immune cells that secondarily affect cutaneous
inflammation, and provide some insights into species differences in
sPLA2s. Additionally, we briefly overview the patatin-like
phospholipase PNPLA1, which belongs to the Ca2+-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) family, as a key regulator of skin barrier function through catalysis of a unique non-PLA2 reaction. These knowledges on lipid metabolism driven by various PLA2 subtypes will open novel opportunities for translated studies toward diagnosis and
therapy of human
skin diseases.