Identification of Lympho-Epithelial Kazal-Type Inhibitor 2 in Human Skin as a Kallikrein-Related Peptidase 5-Specific Protease Inhibitor
2009

Identification of a New Skin Inhibitor for KLK5

Sample size: 8 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Meyer-Hoffert Ulf, Wu Zhihong, Schröder Jens-Michael

Primary Institution: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany

Hypothesis

More inhibitors are present in human skin that regulate KLK5 activity.

Conclusion

LEKTI-2 is a specific inhibitor of KLK5 and plays a role in the regulation of skin desquamation.

Supporting Evidence

  • LEKTI-2 was found to specifically inhibit KLK5 but not other serine proteases.
  • Spink9 mRNA was detected in human skin samples and cultured keratinocytes.
  • LEKTI-2 expression was increased at sites of plantar hyperkeratosis.

Takeaway

Scientists found a new protein in human skin that helps control skin shedding by stopping a specific enzyme.

Methodology

The study involved purifying a KLK5-inhibiting peptide from human skin and analyzing its expression and inhibitory activity.

Limitations

The study's findings are preliminary and require further validation in larger samples and different skin types.

Participant Demographics

Healthy individuals' skin samples were used for the study.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0004372

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