title: Sox9 facilitates proliferation, differentiation and lipogenesis in primary cultured human sebocytes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The transcription factor Sox9 is pivotal in the morphogenesis of hair follicles, but its role in sebocytes is poorly understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the effect of Sox9 on human sebocyte proliferation, differentiation and lipogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sox9 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in normal skin and acne lesion. Primary cultured human sebocytes were transfected with adenovirus expressing GFP-Sox9 or Sox9 microRNA. Sox9 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ expression in sebocytes was detected by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot and immunocytofluorescence; cell proliferation was measured by MTS and [3H]-thymidine incorporation assays; cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were evaluated by propidium iodide staining-based flow cytometry; and intracellular lipid levels were assessed by Oil Red O stain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sox9 immunostaining was increased in mature sebocytes of acne lesion compared with normal skin. Expression of Sox9 mRNA and protein and PPARγ protein was elevated with cell confluent levels in sebocytes. Sox9 overexpression enhanced proliferation, differentiation, proportion of S and G2/M cells, lipogenesis and PPARγ expression in sebocytes, while Sox9 silencing caused inhibition of differentiation, lipogenesis and PPARγ expression, and increase of G1 and sub-G1 (apoptotic) cell fraction. The suppression of Sox9 knockdown on sebocyte growth was observed using [3H]-thymidine incorporation but not MTS assay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that Sox9 can reinforce sebocyte proliferation, differentiation and lipogenesis. The G1/S transition arrest and apoptotic induction might contribute to inhibitory effect of Sox9 silencing on sebocyte proliferation.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors: Ge
authors: G
authors: Shi
authors: Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors: Ting-Ting
authors: TT
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.
authors: Juan-Hua
authors: JH
authors: Quan
authors: Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors: Shi-Jie
authors: SJ
authors: Li
authors: Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors: Man-Feng
authors: MF
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors: Pei-Yu
authors: PY
authors: Liao
authors: Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: ymfan1963@163.com.
authors: Yi-Ming
authors: YM
authors: Fan
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017209:Apoptosis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D016193:G1 Phase; D006801:Humans; D050155:Lipogenesis; D047492:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D034622:RNA Interference; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012535:Scalp / Q000166:cytology; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D047492:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; C527932:SOX9 protein, human
keywords: Lipogenesis; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ; Sebaceous gland; Sebocyte; Sox9