Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41873507›Full record

ArticleThe Journal of pathology2026

Acid ceramidase overactivity drives ceramide loss, leading to atopic dry skin and Th2-skewed immune polarization.

Mariko Takada, Miho Sashikawa-Kimura, Yusuke Ohno, Md Razib Hossain, Xiaonan Xie, Kazuhisa Iwabuchi, Mayumi Komine, Mamitaro Ohtsuki, Genji Imokawa

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The Journal of pathology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Mariko Takada *Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, Tochigi, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2469-0047
Miho Sashikawa-Kimura *Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0208-3374
Yusuke OhnoFaculty of Pharmacy, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3702-1043
Md Razib HossainDepartment of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5844-0941
Xiaonan XieCenter for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, Tochigi, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6947-7240
Kazuhisa IwabuchiFaculty of Pharmacy, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4805-4206
Mayumi KomineDepartment of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1086-1803
Mamitaro OhtsukiDepartment of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7845-6698
Genji ImokawaCenter for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, Tochigi, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7312-4475

Funding

Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI JP20K8661
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Ceramide deficiency in the stratum corneum (SC) is a key etiological factor in atopic dermatitis (AD). To clarify the direct role of SC ceramide depletion in impairing SC barrier and water-holding functions and in initiating AD-like skin symptoms and disease-specific molecular alterations, we generated Tg mice overexpressing a mutant form of acid ceramidase (aCDase) under the control of the involucrin promoter, resulting in targeted expression in the upper epidermis. By 3 weeks of age, Tg mice developed noninflammatory, scaly skin characterized by severely compromised barrier integrity and water-holding capacity, along with significantly elevated epidermal aCDase activity and markedly reduced ceramide levels in the SC. Compared to WT controls, Tg mice also exhibited increased epidermal innervation and reduced intraepidermal semaphorin 3a protein levels. Additionally, Tg skin showed substantial changes in the expression of AD-associated biomarkers involved in barrier impairment, pruritus, and Th2 polarization. These included increased levels of Il10, Il17a, S100a7, S100a8, and S100a9 and decreased levels of Cxcl10, Ifng, Il2, Il13, Il33, Sema3a, and Tlr9. Repeated topical application of mite antigens induced allergic responses in Tg mice, but not in WT mice. These responses were characterized by prominent eosinophil infiltration in the dermis and significantly elevated serum IgE levels. Allergen-challenged ear skin from Tg mice also demonstrated significantly increased expression of inflammatory mediators related to AD, including Ccl17, Ccl22, Ccl26, Ccl27, Il3, Il13, Il22, and Il33. These findings establish Tg mice as a pathophysiologically relevant model of AD, presenting key features such as xerotic, pruritic skin, impaired barrier and water-retention functions, and Th2-dominant allergic inflammation. This model provides important insights into ceramide-dependent mechanisms in AD pathogenesis and offers a useful platform for therapeutic development. © 2026 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Indexed as

Acid CeramidaseCeramidesDermatitis, AtopicEpidermisTh2 CellsAnimalsCytokinesDisease Models, AnimalFemaleMiceMice, TransgenicSemaphorin-3AAcid CeramidaseCeramidesCytokinesSemaphorin-3A

Identifiers

PMID41873507
PMCPMC13140133

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.