Reduction of long-chain fatty acid ceramides in dermatitis caused by repeated exposure to house-dust mite in NC/Nga mice

Objective: Ceramide is a major component of the intercellular lipids in stratum corneum, which plays an important role in the skin barrier functions. The average fatty acid chain length of the ceramides correlates with the barrier function, and is shortened in the stratum corneum of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Ceramide synthase (CerS) and elongase of long-chain fatty acids (ELOVL) are the enzymes involved in the elongation of fatty acids of ceramides, and the expressions of both enzymes were decreased by IFN-γ in cultured human keratinocytes. In the present study, we have aimed to evaluate expression of the enzymes and cytokines, and fatty acid chain length of ceramides in dermatitis caused by repeated house-dust mite exposure.