Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and farnesoid X receptor ligands differentially regulate sebaceous differentiation in human sebaceous gland organ cultures in vitro

Summary Background Nuclear hormone receptors are important in the regulation of epidermal differentiation and have been implicated in lipid metabolism. In particular, there is evidence suggesting that the activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs) is an important factor in the regulation of sebocyte lipogenesis. Objectives To determine the role of PPARs, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and other orphan nuclear hormone receptors in sebaceous gland function in vitro by investigating the biochemical effects of appropriate ligands, and by establishing the RNA and protein expression patterns of a number of nuclear receptors in sebaceous glands ex vivo. Methods Human chest sebaceous glands were maintained in vitro as freshly isolated and as 7‐day cultured whole organs. We then studied the effects of appropriate ligands on the glandular rates of lipogenesis and DNA synthesis, as well as determining the mRNA (reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction) and protein expression patterns (immunohistochemistry/immunoblotting) of the nuclear hormone receptors of interest. Results PPAR ligands, but not FXR ligands, inhibited sebaceous lipogenesis, in particular the PPARα ligands LY 171883 and WY 14643, and the PPARγ ligands BRL 49653 and 15‐deoxy‐Δ‐12,14‐prostaglandin J2. We detected RNA expression of PPARα, PPARβ, PPARγ, retinoid X receptor α, liver X receptor α (LXRα) and pregnane X receptor but not FXR in freshly isolated and 7‐day maintained sebaceous glands. PPARα, PPARβ, PPARγ and LXRα protein were detected in nuclear extracts of sebaceous glands. Conclusions We conclude that activation of nuclear hormone receptors, in particular activation of PPARα and PPARγ, can regulate lipogenesis in human sebaceous glands. As suppression of sebum secretion is associated with reduced acne activity, the nuclear hormone receptors involved may open new avenues in the development of novel acne treatments.