Aspergillus oryzae-Fermented Wheat Peptone Enhances the Potential of Proliferation and Hydration of Human Keratinocytes through Activation of p44/42 MAPK

Identifying materials contributing to skin hydration, essential for normal skin homeostasis, has recently gained increased research interest. In this study, we investigated the potential benefits and mechanisms of action of Aspergillus oryzae-fermented wheat peptone (AFWP) on the proliferation and hydration of human skin keratinocytes, through in vitro experiments using HaCaT cell lines. The findings revealed that compared to unfermented wheat peptone, AFWP exhibited an improved amino acid composition, significantly (p < 0.05) higher DPPH scavenging capability and cell proliferation activity, and reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, we separated AFWP into eleven fractions, each ≤2 kDa; of these, fraction 4 (AFW4) demonstrated the highest efficacy in the cell proliferation assay and was found to be the key component responsible for the cell proliferation potential and antioxidant properties of AFWP. Additionally, AFW4 increased the expression of genes encoding natural moisturizing factors, including filaggrin, transglutaminase-1, and hyaluronic acid synthase 1–3. Furthermore, AFW4 activated p44/42 MAPK, but not JNK and p38 MAPK, whereas PD98059, a p44/42 MAPK inhibitor, attenuated the beneficial effects of AFW4 on the skin, suggesting that the effects of AFW4 are mediated via p44/42 MAPK activation. Finally, in clinical studies, AFW4 treatment resulted in increased skin hydration and reduced trans-epidermal water loss compared with a placebo group. Collectively, these data provide evidence that AFW4 could be used as a potential therapeutic agent to improve skin barrier damage induced by external stresses.

Download Full-text

Keratinocytes Regulate the Threshold of Inflammation by Inhibiting T Cell Effector Functions

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10071606 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1606

Author(s):

Peter Seiringer ◽

Stefanie Eyerich ◽

Kilian Eyerich ◽

Daniela Dittlein ◽

Anna Caroline Pilz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

T Cell ◽

Cytokine Production ◽

Nickel Sulfate ◽

Human Keratinocytes ◽

T Cell Proliferation ◽

Effector Functions ◽

The Impact ◽

Cell Effector

Whilst the importance of keratinocytes as a first-line defense has been widely investigated, little is known about their interactions with non-resident immune cells. In this study, the impact of human keratinocytes on T cell effector functions was analyzed in an antigen-specific in vitro model of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to nickel sulfate. Keratinocytes partially inhibited T cell proliferation and cytokine production. This effect was dependent on the keratinocyte/T cell ratio and was partially reversible by increasing the number of autologous dendritic cells. The inhibition of T cell proliferation by keratinocytes was independent of the T cell subtype and antigen presentation by different professional antigen-presenting cells. Autologous and heterologous keratinocytes showed comparable effects, while the fixation of keratinocytes with paraformaldehyde abrogated the immunosuppressive effect. The separation of keratinocytes and T cells by a transwell chamber, as well as a cell-free keratinocyte supernatant, inhibited T cell effector functions to the same amount as directly co-cultured keratinocytes, thus proving that soluble factor/s account for the observed suppressive effects. In conclusion, keratinocytes critically control the threshold of inflammatory processes in the skin by inhibiting T cell proliferation and cytokine production.

Download Full-text

Siraitia grosvenorii Residual Extract Attenuates Atopic Dermatitis by Regulating Immune Dysfunction and Skin Barrier Abnormality

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12123638 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 3638

Author(s):

Yoon-Young Sung ◽

Heung-Joo Yuk ◽

Won-Kyung Yang ◽

Seung-Hyung Kim ◽

Dong-Seon Kim

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Immunoglobulin E ◽

Allergic Inflammation ◽

Skin Barrier ◽

Human Keratinocytes ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Siraitia Grosvenorii ◽

Ifn Γ

Atopic dermatitis is a persistent inflammatory skin disorder. Siraitia grosvenorii fruits (monk fruit or nahangwa in Korean, NHG) are used as a natural sweetener and as a traditional medicine for the treatment of asthma and bronchitis. We evaluated the activity of S. grosvenorii residual extract (NHGR) on allergic inflammation of atopic dermatitis in a Dermatophagoides farinae mite antigen extract (DfE)-treated NC/Nga murine model and in vitro. Oral administration of NHGR significantly reduced epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration in the skin lesions of DfE-induced atopic dermatitis, as well as the dermatitis severity score. NHGR reduced serum immunoglobulin E levels. Splenic concentrations of IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were reduced by NHGR administration. Immunohistofluorescence staining showed that NHGR administration increased the protein levels of claudin-1, SIRT1, and filaggrin in atopic dermatitis skin lesions. In addition, NHGR inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and decreased filaggrin and chemokine protein expression in TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced human keratinocytes. Moreover, NHGR also inhibited histamine in mast cells. The quantitative analysis of NHGR revealed the presence of grosvenorine, kaempferitrin, and mogrosides. These results demonstrate that NHGR may be an efficient therapeutic agent for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Download Full-text

Disease-Dependent Antiapoptotic Effects of Cannabidiol for Keratinocytes Observed upon UV Irradiation

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22189956 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (18) ◽

pp. 9956

Author(s):

Piotr Wójcik ◽

Agnieszka Gęgotek ◽

Neven Žarković ◽

Elżbieta Skrzydlewska

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathways ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Human Keratinocytes ◽

Caspase 8 ◽

Apoptotic Pathway ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Uvb Irradiation ◽

Apoptotic Signaling ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Although apoptosis of keratinocytes has been relatively well studied, there is a lack of information comparing potentially proapoptotic treatments for healthy and diseased skin cells. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune-mediated skin disease manifested by patches of hyperproliferative keratinocytes that do not undergo apoptosis. UVB phototherapy is commonly used to treat psoriasis, although this has undesirable side effects, and is often combined with anti-inflammatory compounds. The aim of this study was to analyze if cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may modify the proapoptotic effects of UVB irradiation in vitro by influencing apoptotic signaling pathways in donor psoriatic and healthy human keratinocytes obtained from the skin of five volunteers in each group. While CBD alone did not have any major effects on keratinocytes, the UVB treatment activated the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, with enhanced caspase 8 expression in both healthy and psoriatic keratinocytes. However, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, characterized by increased expression of caspase 2, was observed in psoriatic cells after UVB irradiation. Furthermore, decreased p-AKT expression combined with increased 15-d-PGJ2 level and p-p38 expression was observed in psoriatic keratinocytes, which may promote both apoptosis and necrosis. Application of CBD partially attenuated these effects of UVB irradiation both in healthy and psoriatic keratinocytes, reducing the levels of 15-d-PGJ2, p-p38 and caspase 8 while increasing Bcl2 expression. However, CBD increased p-AKT only in UVB-treated healthy cells. Therefore, the reduction of apoptotic signaling pathways by CBD, observed mainly in healthy keratinocytes, suggests the need for further research into the possible beneficial effects of CBD.

Download Full-text

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Formononetin 7-O-phosphate, a Novel Biorenovation Product, on LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules24213910 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (21) ◽

pp. 3910 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Min-Seon Kim ◽

Jin-Soo Park ◽

You Chul Chung ◽

Sungchan Jang ◽

Chang-Gu Hyun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Properties ◽

In Vitro Assays ◽

Raw 264.7 Cells ◽

No Production ◽

Raw 264.7 ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Macrophage Cells ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Reduced Toxicity

Biorenovation is a microbial enzyme-catalyzed structural modification of organic compounds with the potential benefits of reduced toxicity and improved biological properties relative to their precursor compounds. In this study, we synthesized a novel compound verified as formononetin 7-O-phosphate (FMP) from formononetin (FM) using microbial biotransformation. We further compared the anti-inflammatory properties of FMP to FM in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. We observed that cell viabilities and inhibitory effects on LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production were greater in FMP-treated RAW 264.7 cells than in their FM-treated counterparts. In addition, FMP treatment suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner and concomitantly decreased the mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). We also found that FMP exerted its anti-inflammatory effects through the downregulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. In conclusion, we generated a novel anti-inflammatory compound using biorenovation and demonstrated its efficacy in cell-based in vitro assays.

Download Full-text

Cordyceps militaris Fungus Extracts-Mediated Nanoemulsion for Improvement Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25235733 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (23) ◽

pp. 5733

Author(s):

Esrat Jahan Rupa ◽

Jin Feng Li ◽

Muhammad Huzaifa Arif ◽

Han Yaxi ◽

Aditi Mitra Puja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zeta Potential ◽

Tween 80 ◽

In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽

Cordyceps Militaris ◽

Inflammatory Activity ◽

Raw 264.7 Cells ◽

No Production ◽

Raw 264.7 ◽

Anti Inflammatory

This study aimed to produce and optimize a Cordyceps militaris-based oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion (NE) encapsulated in sea buckthorn oil (SBT) using an ultrasonication process. Herein, a nonionic surfactant (Tween 80) and chitosan cosurfactant were used as emulsifying agents. The Cordyceps nanoemulsion (COR-NE) was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and field-emission transmission electron microscope (FE-TEM). The DLS analyses revealed that the NE droplets were 87.0 ± 2.1 nm in diameter, with a PDI value of 0.089 ± 0.023, and zeta potential of −26.20 ± 2. The small size, low PDI, and stable zeta potential highlighted the excellent stability of the NE. The NE was tested for stability under different temperature (4 °C, 25 °C, and 60 °C) and storage conditions for 3 months where 4 °C did not affect the stability. Finally, in vitro cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity were assessed. The results suggested that the NE was not toxic to RAW 264.7 or HaCaT (human keratinocyte) cell lines at up to 100 µL/mL. Anti-inflammatory activity in liposaccharides (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells was evident at 50 µg/mL and showed inhibition of NO production and downregulation of pro-inflammatory gene expression. Further, the NE exhibited good antioxidant (2.96 ± 0.10 mg/mL) activity and inhibited E. coli and S. aureus bacterial growth. Overall, the COR-NE had greater efficacy than the free extract and added significant value for future biomedical and cosmetics applications.

Download Full-text

Skin permeability barrier formation by the ichthyosis-causative gene FATP4 through formation of the barrier lipid ω-O-acylceramide

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1917525117 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 117 (6) ◽

pp. 2914-2922 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Haruka Yamamoto ◽

Miku Hattori ◽

Walee Chamulitrat ◽

Yusuke Ohno ◽

Akio Kihara

Keyword(s):

Skin Barrier ◽

Human Keratinocytes ◽

Skin Permeability ◽

Permeability Barrier ◽

Barrier Dysfunction ◽

Causative Gene ◽

Synthetic Pathway ◽

Barrier Formation ◽

Chain Lengths

The epidermis-specific lipid acylceramide plays a pivotal role in the formation of the permeability barrier in the skin; abrogation of its synthesis causes the skin disorder ichthyosis. However, the acylceramide synthetic pathway has not yet been fully elucidated: Namely, the acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) involved in this pathway remains to be identified. Here, we hypothesized it to be encoded by FATP4/ACSVL4, the causative gene of ichthyosis prematurity syndrome (IPS). In vitro experiments revealed that FATP4 exhibits ACS activity toward an ω-hydroxy fatty acid (FA), an intermediate of the acylceramide synthetic pathway. Fatp4 knockout (KO) mice exhibited severe skin barrier dysfunction and morphological abnormalities in the epidermis. The total amount of acylceramide in Fatp4 KO mice was reduced to ∼10% of wild-type mice. Decreased levels and shortening of chain lengths were observed in the saturated, nonacylated ceramides. FA levels were not decreased in the epidermis of Fatp4 KO mice. The expression levels of the FA elongase Elovl1 were reduced in Fatp4 KO epidermis, partly accounting for the reduction and shortening of saturated, nonacylated ceramides. A decrease in acylceramide levels was also observed in human keratinocytes with FATP4 knockdown. From these results, we conclude that skin barrier dysfunction observed in IPS patients and Fatp4 KO mice is caused mainly by reduced acylceramide production. Our findings further elucidate the molecular mechanism governing acylceramide synthesis and IPS pathology.

Download Full-text

Chenopodium album L. and Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop.: Phytochemical Content and In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants8110505 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 505

Author(s):

Valentina Amodeo ◽

Mariangela Marrelli ◽

Veronica Pontieri ◽

Roberta Cassano ◽

Sonia Trombino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Chenopodium Album ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

New Drugs ◽

Herbal Remedies ◽

Raw 264.7 Cells ◽

Phytochemical Content ◽

Ic50 Value ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Spontaneous edible plants have an old history of use in popular traditions all around the world, and the rediscovery of these species could also be useful for the search of new drugs. Chenopodium album L. (Amaranthaceae) and Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. (Brassicaceae) are two annual plants traditionally used both as food and herbal remedies against inflammatory disorders. In this work, the potential anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of these plant species have been investigated, together with their antioxidant potential. The phytochemical composition was assessed as well by means of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The antioxidant properties were assessed using the DPPH and β-carotene bleaching test. The ability of extracts to protect against lipid peroxidation was also examined in rat-liver microsomal membranes. All the samples showed a preservation of antioxidant activity up to 60 min. A significant inhibitory activity on the production of the pro-inflammatory mediator nitric oxide was induced in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by the dichloromethane fraction of C. album extract, with an IC50 value equal to 81.7 ± 0.9 μg/mL. The same sample showed also a concentration-dependent anti-denaturation effect on heat-treated bovine serum albumin (IC50 = 975.6 ± 5.5 μg/mL), even if the best in vitro anti-arthritic activity was observed for the dichloromethane fraction of S. officinale extract, with an IC50 value of 680.9 ± 13.2 μg/mL.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Ten Essential Oils on Several Cutaneous Drug-Resistant Microorganisms and Their Cyto/Genotoxic and Antioxidant Properties

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules24244570 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (24) ◽

pp. 4570 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Katarína Kozics ◽

Mária Bučková ◽

Andrea Puškárová ◽

Viktória Kalászová ◽

Terézia Cabicarová ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oils ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Total Antioxidant Status ◽

Human Keratinocytes ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Antioxidant Agents ◽

Total Antioxidant ◽

Antibacterial And Antifungal

In this study, we determined the antimicrobial activity of ten essential oils (EOs)—oregano, thyme, clove, arborvitae, cassia, lemongrass, melaleuca, eucalyptus, lavender, and clary sage—against drug-resistant microorganisms previously isolated from patients with skin infections. The essential oil compositions were determined using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The assayed bacteria included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Citrobacter koseri, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Two drug-resistant yeasts (Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis) were also involved in our survey. Oregano, thyme, cassia, lemongrass and arborvitae showed very strong antibacterial and antifungal activity against all tested strains. These results show that these essential oils may be effective in preventing the growth of the drug-resistant microorganisms responsible for wound infections. In this study, the genotoxic effects of tested essential oils on healthy human keratinocytes HaCaT were evaluated using the comet assay for the first time. These results revealed that none of the essential oils induced significant DNA damage in vitro after 24 h. Moreover, the treatment of HaCaT cells with essential oils increased the total antioxidant status (TAS) level. The obtained results indicate that EOs could be used as a potential source of safe and potent natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Download Full-text

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of a sterol-enriched fraction from freshwater green alga, Spirogyra sp.

Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1186/s41240-020-00172-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lei Wang ◽

You-Jin Jeon ◽

Jae-Il Kim

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Green Alga ◽

Raw 264.7 Cells ◽

Ros Generation ◽

Prostaglandin E ◽

No Production ◽

Raw 264.7 ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Background Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as arthritis and atherosclerosis. In the present study, we evaluated anti-inflammatory activity of sterol-rich fraction prepared from Spirogyra sp., a freshwater green alga, in an effort to find bioactive extracts derived from natural sources. Methods The sterol content of ethanol extract of Spirogyra sp. (SPE) was enriched by fractionation with hexane (SPEH), resulting 6.7 times higher than SPE. Using this fraction, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and zebrafish. Results SPEH effectively and dose-dependently decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). SPEH suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-1β through downregulating nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells without cytotoxicity. The in vivo test results indicated that SPEH significantly and dose-dependently reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell death, and NO production in LPS-stimulated zebrafish. Conclusions These results demonstrate that SPEH possesses strong in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities and has the potential to be used as healthcare or pharmaceutical material for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Download Full-text

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF TINOCRISPOSIDE BY INHIBITING NITRIC OXIDE PRODUCTION IN LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES-STIMULATED RAW 264.7 CELLS

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i4.23739 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 149 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Adek Zamrud Adnan ◽

Muhammad Taher ◽

Tika Afriani ◽

Annisa Fauzana ◽

Dewi Imelda Roesma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Positive Control ◽

Inflammatory Activity ◽

Raw 264.7 Cells ◽

No Production ◽

Raw 264.7 ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of tinocrisposide using lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Tinocrisposide is a furano diterpene glycoside that was isolated in our previous study from Tinospora crispa.Methods: Anti-inflammatory effect was quantified spectrometrically using Griess method by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production after the addition of Griess reagent.Results: The sample concentrations of 1, 5, 25, 50, and 100 μM and 100 μM of dexamethasone (positive control) have been tested against the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, and the results showed NO level production of 39.23, 34.00, 28.9, 20.25, 16.3, and 13.68 μM, respectively, and the inhibition level of 22.67, 33.00, 43.03, 60.10, 68.00, and 73%, respectively.Conclusions: From the study, it could be concluded that tinocrisposide was able to inhibit the formation of NO in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in concentration activity-dependent manner, with half-maximal inhibition concentration 46.92 μM. It can be developed as anti-inflammatory candidate drug because NO is a reactive nitrogen species which is produced by NO synthase. The production of NO has been established as a mediator in inflammatory diseases.

Download Full-text