Aromatase activity in human skin fibroblasts grown in cell culture.

Recent studies in this laboratory have described an unusual kindred in which gynecomastia resulted from abnormally elevated levels of extraglandular aromatase activity. In order to better understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for the abnormal aromatase activity in these and other patients, we explored the aromatase activity of genital skin fibroblasts. Our studies demonstrate that the kinetic parameters for aromatase in skin are similar to those of other cultured cells and suggest that skin is an important site of extraglandular aromatase activity. These cells also contain 5 alpha-reductase activity and androgen receptors and are, therefore, a model for androgen action and metabolism. For example, they provided a system for the study of the potency and specificity of the aromatase inhibitors 4-OHA and MDL 18,962. Finally, the influence of DEX on aromatase in genital skin fibroblasts differs in some important respects from the pattern of control observed in adipose tissue stromal-vascular cells. These findings suggest that investigating the molecular mechanisms for the regulation of aromatase in skin may provide unique information about the control of the enzyme.