Barrier disruption increases gene expression of cytokines and the 55 kD TNF receptor in murine skin

• Published in: Experimental dermatology 1997-04, Vol.6 (2), p.98-104
• Main Authors: Wood, Ladonna C., Stalder, Anna K., Liou, Amelie, Campbell, Iain L., Grunfeld, Carl, Elias, Peter M., Feingold, Kenneth R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, CD - biosynthesis; Antigens, CD - genetics; Body Water - metabolism; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Cytokines - genetics; Dietary Fats - administration & dosage; Epidermis - injuries; Epidermis - metabolism; essential fatty acid deficiency; Fatty Acids, Essential - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Essential - deficiency; Gene Expression Regulation; interleukin-l; Latex; Male; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Mice, Mutant Strains; Occlusive Dressings; Receptors, Interleukin - biosynthesis; Receptors, Interleukin - genetics; Receptors, Interleukin-1 - biosynthesis; Receptors, Interleukin-1 - genetics; Receptors, Interleukin-6; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor - biosynthesis; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor - genetics; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNase protection; Skin - metabolism; tape-stripping
• ISSN: 0906-6705; 1600-0625
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.1997.tb00154.x

The signalling mechanisms that regulate epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis arc not known. Previous Northern blot analysis showed that both acute and chronic barrier disruption increase mRNA levels of several cytokines in murine epidermis. To further characterize the epidermal response to barrier abrogation, we used more sensitive, multi‐probe RNasc protection assays to measure the mRNA levels of additional cytokines. as well as cytokine receptors in acute and chronic models of barrier disruption. Normal mouse epidermis expressed interleukin (IL)‐lα, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ). tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and IL‐6 mRNAs. Following tape‐stripping, only the mRNA levels for TNF‐α, IL‐lα, IL‐lβ and IL‐6 increased at 2.5 and 7 h, and returned toward normal levels by IX h. No mRNAs encoding TNF‐β. IL‐2, IL‐3. IL‐4 or IL‐5, were detected in the epidermis either under basal conditions or after tape‐stripping. Similarly, in a chronic model, essential fatty acid deficiency, epidermal levels of TNF‐α, IL‐lα, IL‐lβ and IL‐6 mRNAs, but not IFN‐γ mRNA. were elevated over controls; and again, mRNAs for the remaining probed cytokines were not detected. In contrast, in the dermis. only IL‐Iβ mRNA levels increased 2.5 h after tape‐stripping, and remained elevated at I8 h. mRNAs encoding the IL‐1 (p60), IFN‐γ ami IL‐6 receptors were present in epidermis, but their levels remained unchanged following either acute or chronic barrier disruption. In contrast, epidermal TNF (p55) receptor mRNA levels were increased by 87% (P