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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Injury-induced innate immune response in human skin mediated by transactivation of the epidermal growth factor
Ole E Sørensen1, Dharma R Thapa, K Markus Roupé
1Section of Clinical and Experimental Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. Ole_E.Sorensen@med.lu.se
Abstract:
We found that sterile wounding of human skin induced epidermal expression of the antimicrobial (poly)peptides human beta-defensin-3, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor through activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. After skin wounding, the receptor was activated by heparin-binding epidermal growth factor that was released by a metalloprotease-dependent mechanism. Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor generated antimicrobial concentrations of human beta-defensin-3 and increased the activity of organotypic epidermal cultures against Staphylococcus aureus. These data demonstrate that sterile wounding initiates an innate immune response that increases resistance to overt infection and microbial colonization.
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