To propel iPSC-based advancements in the study of acne and hyper/hyposeborrhea, Creative Biolabs provides the androgen receptor activation assay to meet research requirements.
The Pathway of Androgen Receptor Stimulation
Androgens represent a class of steroid hormones primarily encompassing testosterone. The androgen receptor, serving as a DNA-binding transcription factor, forms homodimers upon binding with ligands. When devoid of ligands, androgen receptor is sequestered by heat shock proteins in the cytoplasm, impeding nuclear androgen receptor translocation and shielding the receptors from degradation. Following the binding of ligands, the androgen receptor separates from heat shock proteins and migrates to the nucleus. Inside the nucleus, the androgen receptor attaches to androgen response elements (AREs) positioned on DNA promoters via zinc finger binding domains. Once the androgen receptor dimer adheres to DNA, it engages in associations with transcriptional coactivators and co-regulators, ultimately regulating the expression of target genes.
Fig. 1 The androgen receptor genomic pathway.1
Androgen Receptor Stimulation in Acne & Hyper/Hyposeborrhea Research
Androgens and the androgen receptor are implicated in various skin-related disorders like androgenetic alopecia and acne vulgaris. Recent studies using androgen receptor knockout mice suggest that androgen receptor and androgens have distinct roles in skin pathogenesis, with androgen receptor emerging as a preferable therapeutic target over androgens for these conditions. Acne vulgaris affects the pilosebaceous unit primarily in the upper trunk, neck, and face. androgen receptor has been identified in sebaceous gland epithelial cells through immunohistochemistry and biochemical assays. In acne vulgaris, androgen receptor may enhance sebocyte activity by upregulating FGFR2, crucial for sebaceous gland development, and increasing lipogenesis via SREBPs expression. Furthermore, androgen/androgen receptor activity could exacerbate inflammation, promoting acne formation and progression. Thus, inhibiting androgen receptor function using antiandrogens alone or in combination with antibiotics to curb bacterial infection could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for more effective acne treatment.
Creative Biolabs offers a workflow for androgen receptor stimulation assay using our iPSC-derived sebocytes. This assay uses FRET to quantify the expression level of androgen receptor in a cell lysate. This signal's intensity is directly correlated with the concentration of the protein in the sample, enabling the assessment of protein expression without the need for washing steps. What's more, androgen receptor presence can also be identified in the epithelial cells of sebaceous glands through immunohistochemistry and biochemical binding assays. The variation in blood-related factor levels was assessed using ELISA kits. The distribution of androgen receptor in skin tissue was investigated through immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays.
To pioneer novel avenues for scientific exploration in acne and hyperseborrhea, particularly in the evaluation and discovery of active pharmaceutical agents, Creative Biolabs introduces an advanced human sebocyte model derived from iPSCs. Esteemed for their heightened genomic stability, ample availability, and outstanding inter-batch reproducibility, iPSC-derived cells stand as a resilient resource for investigating treatments for acne & hyper/hyposeborrhea. For additional details or personalized services, feel free to contact us with no hesitations.
Reference
For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.
