Metabolic Pathways That Control Skin Homeostasis and Inflammation

Abstract

Keratinocytes and skin immune cells are actively metabolizing nutrients present in their microenvironment. This is particularly important in common chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and expansion of inflammatory cells, thus suggesting increased cell nutritional requirements. Proliferating inflammatory cells and keratinocytes express high levels of glucose transporter (GLUT)1, l-type amino acid transporter (LAT)1, and cationic amino acid transporters (CATs). Main metabolic regulators such as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, MYC, and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) control immune cell activation, proliferation, and cytokine release. Here, we provide an updated perspective regarding the potential role of nutrient transporters and metabolic pathways that could be common to immune cells and keratinocytes, to control psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Keywords: amino acid; atopic dermatitis; glucose; metabolism; psoriasis; transporters.