Human sebocytes express prostaglandin E2 receptors EP2 and EP4 but treatment with prostaglandin E2 does not affect testosterone production

Background Prostaglandins (PG) play an important role in cutaneous homeostasis. Among other skin cells, human sebocytes express cyclooxygenases and can produce PGE₂. Various prostanoid receptors have been demonstrated in epidermis and hair follicles, while limited data are available regarding their expression in sebaceous glands. In addition, the interaction between PGE₂ and androgenesis remains largely unclear. Objectives To examine the expression of PGE₂ receptor (EP) and PGF _2α receptor (FP) in human sebocytes and the influence of PGE₂ or PGF_2α on testosterone production. Methods A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction study was used to detect the expression of EP subtypes and FP. A testosterone radioimmunoassay was used to measure the amount of testosterone in the supernatant of cultured SZ95 sebocytes treated with PGE₂ or PGF_2α alone or in the presence of various androgen precursor substrates. Results SZ95 sebocytes expressed mainly EP2 and EP4 but not EP3 or FP. Testosterone production was not induced by PGE₂ or PGF_2α, alone or in the presence of cholesterol. PGE₂ did not affect androgenesis in cultured sebocytes. Conclusions The expression patterns of prostanoid receptors differ between sebocytes, hair follicles and epidermis. The effects of PGE₂ and PGF_2α on the proliferation, lipogenesis and inflammation of sebocytes appear not to be associated with androgenesis.