Dysfunctional γδ T cells contribute to impaired keratinocyte homeostasis in mouse models of obesity.

ABSTRACT: Skin complications and chronic non-healing wounds are common in obesity, metabolic disease, and type 2 diabetes. Epidermal γδ T cells normally produce keratinocyte growth factors, participate in wound repair, and are necessary for keratinocyte homeostasis. We have determined that in γδ T cell-deficient mice, there are reduced numbers of keratinocytes and the epidermis exhibits a flattened, thinner structure with fewer basal keratinocytes. This is important in obesity, where skin-resident γδ T cells are reduced and rendered dysfunctional. Similar to γδ T cell-deficient mice, keratinocytes are reduced and the epidermal structure is altered in two obese mouse models. Even in regions where γδ T cells are present, there are fewer keratinocytes in obese mice, indicating that dysfunctional γδ T c

SUBMITTER: Taylor KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3213272 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature