-Maintaining skin volume is mainly the task of the dermis. This is possible thanks to the production of Hyaluronic Acid (Hyaluronan, Glacosaminoglcans, HA) by fibroblasts (but also keratinocytes in the epidermis). Sebaceous cells belong to the epidermis, but the glands extend into the dermis (and subcutaneous layer): their capacity to produce HA was not known before this study.
-It has been reported that Crow’s feet tend to appear early due to the morphological absence of sebaceous glands in lateral part of the eyes (lateral canthus area): click HERE to read more.
This study from Tokyo, Japan further ads that sebaceous glands also produce HA:
-this was shown in mice in auricular sebocytes grown with Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
-mRNA of HA synthases (HAS) 1, 2 and 3 were demonstrated by RT-PCR. mRNA of HAS 2 and 3 were excited by EGF in vitro and were also found to be expressed in vivo.
–HA staining of human and mice tissue show distribution in the auricular lobules of mice and humans (where sebacous glands are present) in additional to the basal epidermal layer, epidermis and dermis
Conclusion
Sebaceous Glands also appear to produce HA which is controlled by HAS 2 and 3
Source of information: P03-10 (O3-35) Akimoto N. et al. Sebaceous Gland is a Hyaluronan Synthesis Organ in the Skin. JSID Annual Meeting (Japanese Society of Investigative Dermatology, 日本研究皮膚科学会) 2015 – Okayama, Japan
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