Disturbed epidermal structure in mice with temporally controlled fatp4 deficiency.
So far, little is known about the physiological role of fatty acid transport protein 4 (Fatp4, Slc27a4). Mice with a targeted disruption of the Fatp4 gene display features of a human neonatally lethal restrictive dermopathy with a hyperproliferative hyperkeratosis, a disturbed epidermal barrier, a flat dermal-epidermal junction, a reduced number of pilo-sebaceous structures, and a compact dermis, demonstrating that Fatp4 is necessary for the formation of the epidermal barrier. Because Fatp4 is widely expressed, it is unclear whether intrinsic Fatp4 deficiency in the epidermis alone can cause changes in the epidermal structure or whether the abnormalities observed are secondary to the loss of Fatp4 in other organs. To evaluate the functional role of Fatp4 in the skin, we generated a mouse line with Fatp4 deficiency inducible in the epidermis. Mice with epidermal keratinocyte-specific Fatp4 deficiency developed a hyperproliferative hyperkeratosis with a disturbed epidermal barrier. These changes resemble the histological abnormalities in the epidermis of newborn mice with total Fatp4 deficiency. We conclude that Fatp4 in epidermal keratinocytes is essential for the maintenance of a normal epidermal structure.
Herrmann
Thomas
T
Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. thomas_herrmann@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Gröne
Hermann-Josef
HJ
Langbein
Lutz
L
Kaiser
Iris
I
Gosch
Isabella
I
Bennemann
Ute
U
Metzger
Daniel
D
Chambon
Pierre
P
Stewart
Adrian Francis
AF
Stremmel
Wolfgang
W
D000818:Animals; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D050612:Fatty Acid Transport Proteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology
D050612:Fatty Acid Transport Proteins; C493572:Slc27a4 protein, mouse; D013629:Tamoxifen