title: Lipid mediator profile in vernix caseosa reflects skin barrier development.
abstract: Vernix caseosa (VC) is a protective layer that covers the skin of most human newborns. This study characterized the VC lipid mediator profile, and examined its relationship to gestational period, gender of the newborn and maternal lifestyle. VC collected at birth from 156 newborns within the ALADDIN birth cohort was analyzed and 3 different groups of lipid mediators (eicosanoids and related oxylipin analogs, endocannabinoids and sphingolipids) were screened using LC-MS/MS. A total of 54 compounds were detected in VC. A number of associations between lipid mediators and the gestational period were observed, including increases in the ceramide to sphingomyelin ratio as well as the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Gender-specific differences in lipid mediator levels were observed for all 3 lipid classes. In addition, levels of the linoleic acid oxidation products 9(10)-epoxy-12Z-octadecenoic and 12(13)-epoxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (EpOMEs) as well as 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (DiHOME) were increased in VC of children from mothers with an anthroposophic lifestyle. Accordingly, VC was found to be rich in multiple classes of bioactive lipid mediators, which evidence lifestyle, gender and gestational week dependencies. Levels of lipid mediators in VC may therefore be useful as early stage non-invasive markers of the development of the skin as a protective barrier.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiological Chemistry 2, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Checa
authors.affiliation: Translational Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Holm
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiological Chemistry 2, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Marcus O D
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Sjödin
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiological Chemistry 2, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Stacey N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Reinke
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet and Sachs´ Children and Youth Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alm
authors.affiliation: Translational Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scheynius
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiological Chemistry 2, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Craig E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wheelock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000378:metabolism; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005989:Glycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008055:Lipids / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000378:metabolism; D014708:Vernix Caseosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D015777:Eicosanoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides; D008055:Lipids; D013109:Sphingomyelins; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate