Lysophosphatidic acid facilitates human keratinocyte differentiation through the LPAR1/LPAR5-Rho-ROCK-SRF axis and promotes skin barrier function

Skin barrier is important for the moisture maintenance and function of our skin. One of the most important gene that constitutes our skin barrier is filaggrin (FLG). Deficits in FLG expression results in skin barrier dysfunction and causes atopic dermatitis (AD). To elucidate molecular mechanism maintaining skin barrier, we sought to identify factors that could enhance FLG gene expression in human keratinocytes, and evaluate the effect of such factors under physiological condition.