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Topical application of γ-linolenic acid ameliorates atopic dermatitis in hairless mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common pruritic skin disease associated with skin barrier defects and immune dysregulation. Conventional therapies for AD include topical treatments with corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, which exert anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory effects. Thus, it would be important to identify a new drug that can effectively restore both skin barrier and immune abnormalities. We have reported a unique diet-induced AD mouse model. Hairless mice fed a special diet (named HR-AD) show AD-like pruritic dermatitis, which is caused mainly by deficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The present study aimed to examine the effects of topical γ-linolenic acid (GLA) on AD symptoms in this model. Topical application of GLA suppressed Th2-mediated skin inflammation and itch-related scratching behavior. Furthermore, GLA treatment reduced transepidermal water loss with increasing covalently bound ceramides, which are essential for skin barrier formation. Genome-wide gene expression analysis revealed that GLA primarily regulated expression of epidermal differentiation genes, such as Sprr2d, and S100a8 . Therefore, GLA may play various roles in skin barrier and immune regulation and could be a therapeutic candidate for AD.