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Updated: May 20, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Primary Mouse Keratinocytes from Neonatal and Adult Mouse Skin
Published on: July 14, 2017
The acyl-CoA binding protein is required for normal epidermal barrier function in mice
Maria Bloksgaard1, Signe Bek2, Ann-Britt Marcher2
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark; MEMPHYS-Center for Biomembrane Physics, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark.
Acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP) is crucial for skin barrier function. ACBP deficiency in mice leads to altered stratum corneum lipids, increased water loss, and impaired skin health.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP) is an intracellular protein found in all eukaryotes.
- ACBP plays a role in lipid metabolism, but its specific function in skin barrier formation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ACBP in the development and maintenance of skin barrier function.
- To identify the specific lipid alterations associated with ACBP deficiency in the skin.
Main Methods:
- Generation and analysis of Acyl-CoA binding protein knockout (ACBP(-/-)) mice.
- Assessment of skin and fur phenotype, including morphology, biophysical properties, and lipid composition.
- Mass spectrometry to quantify lipid levels in epidermis and stratum corneum.
Main Results:
- ACBP(-/-) mice exhibit greasy fur, alopecia, and scaling with age.
- Stratum corneum in ACBP(-/-) mice shows reduced proton activity and water content.
- A significant decrease in very long chain free fatty acids (VLC-FFAs) was observed in the stratum corneum of ACBP(-/-) mice.
- Transepidermal water loss was increased by approximately 50% in ACBP(-/-) mice.
- Sebaceous gland monoalkyl diacylglycerol (MADAG) levels were elevated in ACBP(-/-) mice.
Conclusions:
- ACBP is essential for the production of VLC-FFAs in the stratum corneum, likely via complex phospholipids in lamellar bodies.
- ACBP plays a critical role in maintaining epidermal barrier function and regulating water loss.
- ACBP appears to limit MADAG synthesis in sebaceous glands, suggesting a dual role in skin lipid homeostasis.
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