Levels of keratinocyte- and fibroblast-derived chemokines in skin cells isolated from abdominoplasty surgical materials from patients with normal weight and obesity

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare chemokine expression in skin cells obtained from patients with normal body weight and obesity after abdominoplasty. Methods. Obesity was determined by body weight index (normal, 19.8±1.7 kg/m²; obesity, 38.3±4.1 kg/m²). Only skin without subcutaneous fat was isolated from surgical material. The skin cells obtained from surgical material were stained with monoclonal antibodies to chemokines. Fluorescence of proteins and receptors was analyzed by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA. Results. Keratinocyte- and fibroblast-derived chemokines of the CCL and CXCL families were analyzed. Percentage of cells expressing CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR3, and CCR10 receptors (regulators of chemokine secretion by keratinocytes and skin fibroblasts) was increased in the skin of obese patients. Expression of the pro-inflammatory chemokines, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL13, CCL24, and CCL27, was increased in skin cells from obese patients. Obesity was associated with reduced expression of the chemokines CCL17, CCL22, and CCL28 in skin cells. Conclusion. Chemokine regulation is disturbed in obesity, which may underlie the development of complications after abdominal surgery.