Skin diseases featuring epithelial barrier dysfunction show altered sphingolipid metabolism, which causes alterations in the stratum corneum intercellular lipid components and structure. Under pathological conditions, 1-deoxysphingolipids form atypical sphingolipids from de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis.

A study by Chung et al assessed the potential role of 1-deoxysphingolipids in skin barrier dysfunction secondary to X-ray and ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation, both in vitro and in vivo. They also assessed alterations in the expression of 1-deoxysphingolipids in lesional human skin of atopic dermatitis.

They found increased 1-deoxysphingolipids in cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes after X-ray irradiation. X-ray or UVB irradiation boosted 1-deoxysphingosine production in a reconstituted 3-dimensional (3D) skin model. To their excitement, treating with a physiological lipid mixture (multi-lamellar emulsion contained pseudoceramide), which can amplify the epidermal permeability barrier function, caused decreased 1-deoxysphingosine formation in a reconstituted 3D skin model. 

They investigated further using a hairless mouse model and found resembling preventive effects of physiological lipid mixture against 1-deoxysphingosine formation after X-ray irradiation. They also observed an increase in the level of 1-dexoysphingosine in the stratum corneum in lesional skin of atopic dermatitis.

Through their study, the investigators showed that 1-deoxysphingosine might be a novel biomarker of skin barrier dysfunction, and treatment with a physiological lipid mixture could prevent 1-deoxysphingosine production and consequent skin barrier dysfunction.

Source: Chung BY, Kim HO, Kang SY, et al. Increased 1-Deoxysphingolipids and skin barrier dysfunction in the skin of X-ray or ultraviolet B irradiation and atopic dermatitis lesion could be prevented by moisturizer with physiological lipid mixture. Ann Dermatol. 2020;32(4):306-18.