Association of cyclic adenosine monophosphate with permeability barrier homeostasis of murine skin

Activation of Gs protein increases the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level, and the Gs protein-linked receptor has been implicated in the skin barrier homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the role of cAMP in epidermal barrier function. The barrier was disrupted by tape stripping or treatment with acetone. Immediately after barrier disruption, reagents affecting the cAMP level were topically applied. Topical application of forskolin, which activates cAMP synthesis delayed barrier recovery, whereas application of the antagonist of cAMP, cAMP-Rp, accelerated barrier recovery. Moreover, application of 9-cyclopentyladenine, an inhibitor of cAMP synthesis also accelerated barrier recovery. Tape stripping was found to increase the cAMP in the epidermis. Light and electron microscopic observations showed the delay of lamellar body secretion by forskolin and acceleration of the lamellar body secretion by cAMP-Rp. Application of an inhibitor of protein kinase A did not affect the barrier recovery rate. The delay of barrier recovery induced by forskolin was blocked by the voltage-gated calcium channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil. In cultured keratinocytes, forskolin increased the intracellular calcium concentration and both nifedipine and verapamil blocked the increase. These results suggest that intracellular cAMP in the epidermis is involved in skin barrier homeostasis.