Localization of Sex Steroid Receptors in Human Skin

The study investigated the localization of sex steroid receptors in human skin, focusing on androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors. Androgen receptors were found in most keratinocytes in the epidermis, about 10% of fibroblasts in the dermis, basal cells and sebocytes in sebaceous glands, and dermal papillar cells in hair follicles. Estrogen receptor alpha was limited to sebocytes, while estrogen receptor beta was highly expressed in the epidermis, sebaceous glands, eccrine sweat glands, and various cells in hair follicles. Progesterone receptors were present in some keratinocytes, sebaceous glands, dermal papilla cells of hair follicles, and eccrine sweat glands. This differential localization provided insights into the specific roles of these hormones in skin and its appendages.