Regulation of ABCA1 expression in human keratinocytes and murine epidermis

Keratinocytes require abundant cholesterol for cutaneous permeability barrier function; hence, the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis is of great importance. ABCA1 is a membrane transporter responsible for cholesterol efflux and plays a pivotal role in regulating cellular cholesterol levels. We demonstrate that ABCA1 is expressed in cultured human keratinocytes (CHKs) and murine epidermis. Liver X receptor (LXR) activation markedly stimulates ABCA1 mRNA and protein levels in CHKs and mouse epidermis. In addition to LXR, activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)alpha, PPARbeta/delta, and retinoid X receptor (RXR), but neither PPARgamma nor retinoic acid receptor, also increase ABCA1 expression in CHKs. Increases in cholesterol supply induced by LDL or mevalonate stimulate ABCA1 expression, whereas inhibiting cholesterol synthesis with statins or cholesterol sulfate decreases ABCA1 expression in CHKs. After acute permeability barrier disruption by either tape-stripping or acetone treatment, ABCA1 expression declines, and this attenuates cellular cholesterol efflux, making more cholesterol available for regeneration of the barrier. In addition, during fetal epidermal development, ABCA1 expression decreases at days 18-22 of gestation (term = 22 days), leaving more cholesterol available during the critical period of barrier formation. Together, our results show that ABCA1 is expressed in keratinocytes, where it is negatively regulated by a decrease in cellular cholesterol levels or altered permeability barrier requirements and positively regulated by activators of LXR, PPARs, and RXR or increases in cellular cholesterol levels.