Duke-NUS scientists uncover key “lipid transporter” that keeps skin healthy

SINGAPORE, 23 MARCH 2026—Singapore scientists have identified the transporter protein that allows essential fats in the bloodstream to enter the skin, reshaping understanding of how the skin maintains its protective barrier.

Duke-NUS Medical School scientists and their collaborators found that a transporter protein called MFSD2A enables skin cells to take up lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), a type of fat molecule circulating in the blood. These LPCs supply linoleic acid—an essential fatty acid needed to maintain and repair the skin barrier.

The skin’s epidermis, its outermost layer, forms the body’s first line of defence against the environment. In inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, this barrier can be disrupted, leading to dryness, itchiness, thickening and inflammation. These conditions affect millions of people worldwide and contribute to discomfort and reduced quality of life. In Singapore, eczema, affects one in 10 people at some time in their lives[1], while psoriasis affects one to two percent of the population[2].

A defining feature of the epidermis is its high demand for lipids, particularly linoleic acid, which is obtained through diet. However, whether the epidermis also relies on phospholipids or fat molecules derived from blood plasma, has not been clearly understood.

To address this, the researchers examined how epidermal cells acquire phospholipids for skin maintenance and repair. Their study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that cells in the epidermis express and use MFSD2A to transport LPCs from the blood, supplying lipids needed for skin maintenance and repair.

In pre-clinical studies where MFSD2A was removed from the epidermis, the team found that the loss of this transporter led to inflammation and damaged skin structure. Detailed lipid analysis showed that the epidermis lacked key fats, including linoleic acid, even when dietary intake was sufficient. This suggests that LPC transport is more important for maintaining healthy skin than previously understood.

Professor David Silver, deputy director of the Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Signature Research Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School, and senior author of the study, said:


“What makes this discovery exciting is that it shows the health of the epidermis relies on the uptake of phospholipids from the blood. While it is established that linoleic acid from dietary sources is important, our findings indicate that LPCs support the health and renewal of skin cells by serving as a key source of phospholipid and linoleic acid.”

Dr Bernice Wong, senior research fellow at Duke-NUS’ Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Signature Research Programme, and first author of the study, said:

“Through tissue analysis, gene expression profiling, lipid profiling and studies in human skin cell cultures, our work sheds light on the previously unknown mechanisms by which the skin acquires lipids to maintain and repair its barrier.”

The team also found that MFSD2A expression was reduced in the outermost layer of skin from people with eczema and autoimmune skin conditions. This raises the possibility that impaired uptake of LPCs may contribute to disease progression by limiting the skin’s ability to repair and renew itself.

Dr Alvin Chua, clinical associate professor from the Musculoskeletal Sciences Academic Clinical Programme at Duke–NUS Medical School, and co-author of the study from the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery at Singapore General Hospital, said:


“Our findings suggest that ensuring adequate uptake of LPCs could lead to new and more effective treatments to support skin repair in certain inflammatory conditions.”

Certain LPC formulations for dietary supplements, including LPC-omega-3, are already commercially available in Singapore. This study opens the door to exploring whether these lipids, when taken as supplements, could help support skin health in people with chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

Professor Lok Sheemei, Duke-NUS’ Interim Vice-Dean for Research, added:

“This study uncovers the molecular pathways in which our skin takes up the lipids it needs to stay healthy, offering new insights into skin barrier disorders. It also highlights the potential for specific lipids, such as LPCs, to be developed into treatments, offering fresh hope for patients living with these conditions.”

Next, the team plans to examine the effects of dietary LPC rich in linoleic acid in pre-clinical studies of psoriasis and other skin diseases.

Duke-NUS is a global leader in medical education and a biomedical research powerhouse, combining fundamental discovery with translational research to improve health outcomes in Singapore and beyond.

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About Duke-NUS Medical School                 

Duke-NUS is Singapore’s flagship graduate entry medical school, established in 2005 with a strategic, government-led partnership between two world-class institutions: Duke University and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through an innovative curriculum, students at Duke-NUS are nurtured to become multi-faceted ‘Clinicians Plus’ poised to steer the healthcare and biomedical ecosystem in Singapore and beyond. A leader in ground-breaking research and translational innovation, Duke-NUS has gained international renown through its five Signature Research Programmes and ten Centres. The enduring impact of its discoveries is amplified by its successful Academic Medicine partnership with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), Singapore’s largest healthcare group. This strategic alliance has led to the creation of 15 Academic Clinical Programmes, which harness multi-disciplinary research and education to transform medicine and improve lives.

For more information, please visit www.duke-nus.edu.sg 

[1] https://www.nsc.com.sg/patients-and-visitors/Health-Library/Conditions-And-Treatments/Pages/Eczema-And-Dermatitis.aspx

[2] https://www.singhealth.com.sg/symptoms-treatments/psoriasis