Adipokines in the Skin and in Dermatological Diseases

Abstract

Adipokines are the primary mediators of adipose tissue-induced and regulated systemic inflammatory diseases; however, recent findings revealed that serum levels of various adipokines correlate also with the onset and the severity of dermatological diseases. Importantly, further data confirmed that the skin serves not only as a target for adipokine signaling, but may serve as a source too. In this review, we aim to provide a complex overview on how adipokines may integrate into the (patho) physiological conditions of the skin by introducing the cell types, such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and sebocytes, which are known to produce adipokines as well as the signals that target them. Moreover, we discuss data from in vivo and in vitro murine and human studies as well as genetic data on how adipokines may contribute to various aspects of the homeostasis of the skin, e.g., melanogenesis, hair growth, or wound healing, just as to the pathogenesis of dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, rosacea, and melanoma.

Aberrations in Lipid Expression and Metabolism in Psoriasis

“…Adipokines are biologically active substances secreted mainly by the adipose tissue; however, cells other than adipocytes may also take part in their production [ 16 ]. They have properties of cytokines, hormones, enzymes, or growth factors [ 17 ].…”

“…To date, the role and concentration of different adipokines in PSO have been widely investigated, including by our team [ 18 ]. Depending on their properties, the concentration of some adipokines in serum and psoriatic tissues are elevated or decreased and correlate or do not correlate with BMI or PASI (Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index) [ 16 ].…”

“…The expression of adipokines, which are secreted mainly by adipose tissue, is also abnormal in psoriatic skin. Leptin, which is involved in cell proliferation and inflammation in psoriatic skin, has been found to be overexpressed in psoriatic skin lesions in individuals with severe disease compared to those with a milder course or healthy persons [ 16 ]. Chemerin and progranulin are responsible for regulating inflammatory cell profiles in psoriatic skin [ 16 ].…”

“…Leptin, which is involved in cell proliferation and inflammation in psoriatic skin, has been found to be overexpressed in psoriatic skin lesions in individuals with severe disease compared to those with a milder course or healthy persons [ 16 ]. Chemerin and progranulin are responsible for regulating inflammatory cell profiles in psoriatic skin [ 16 ]. Whereas progranulin expression in psoriatic skin has been proved to be elevated [ 16 ], in the case of chemerin, it is more complex [ 42 ].…”

“…Chemerin and progranulin are responsible for regulating inflammatory cell profiles in psoriatic skin [ 16 ]. Whereas progranulin expression in psoriatic skin has been proved to be elevated [ 16 ], in the case of chemerin, it is more complex [ 42 ]. In the early and active phase of skin involvement in psoriasis, the expression seems to be elevated, while in the chronic phase of this dermatosis, it decreases [ 42 ].…”