548 Deletion of Myelin Protein Zero-like 3 increases sebaceous gland size and sebocyte proliferation but reduces skin adipose depots: Can MPZL3 inhibition promote excessive loss of lipids via sebum hypersecretion?

Abstract

The sebaceous gland (SG) produces lipid-rich sebum and undergoes continuous self-renewal to replenish differentiated sebocytes lost during holocrine secretion. In mice, SGs can excrete large amounts of lipids mobilized from extracutaneous adipose depots. The nuclear-encoded, mitochondrially localized immunoglobulin-like v-type protein, Myelin Protein Zero-like 3 (MPZL3), has been shown to play an essential role in skin epithelial differentiation and may also regulate adipocyte functions. Mpzl3 knockout (-/-) mice display a greasy hair coat, increased Oil Red O staining of lipids, SG hypertrophy and sebocyte hyperplasia in skin histology, with increased Ki-67 staining in the peripheral zone of the SG.