• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.300-304
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• 2019

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.171-176
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• 2012

HaCaT cells are the immortalized human keratinocytes and have been extensively used to study the epidermal homeostasis and its pathophysiology. T helper cells play a role in various chronic dermatological conditions and they can affect skin barrier homeostasis. To evaluate whether HaCaT cells can be used as a model cell system to study abnormal skin barrier development in various dermatologic diseases, we analyzed the gene expression profile of epidermal differentiation markers of HaCaT cells in response to major T helper (Th) cell cytokines, such as $IFN{\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-17A and IL-22. The gene transcriptional profile of cornified envelope-associated proteins, such as filaggrin, loricrin, involucrin and keratin 10 (KRT10), in HaCaT cells was generally different from that in normal human keratinocytes (NHKs). This suggests that HaCaT cells have a limitation as a model system to study the pathophysiological mechanism associated with the Th cell cytokine-dependent changes in cornified envelope-associated proteins which are essential for normal skin barrier development. In contrast, the gene transcription profile change of human ${\beta}2$-defensin (HBD2) in response to $IFN{\gamma}$, IL-4 or IL-17A in HaCaT cells was consistent with the expression pattern of NHKs. $IFN{\gamma}$ also up-regulated transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) gene transcription in both HaCaT cells and NHKs. As an alternative cell culture system for NHKs, HaCaT cells can be used to study molecular mechanisms associated with abnormal HBD2 and TGM2 expression in response to $IFN{\gamma}$, IL-4 or IL-17A.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Re-epithelialization has an important role in skin wound healing. Astaxanthin (ASX), a carotenoid found in crustaceans including shrimp, crab, and salmon, has been widely used for skin protection. Therefore, we investigated the effects of ASX on proliferation and migration of human skin keratinocyte cells and explored the mechanism associated with that migration. MATERIAL/METHOD: HaCaT keratinocyte cells were exposed to $0.25-1{\mu}g/mL$ of ASX. Proliferation of keratinocytes was analyzed by using MTT assays and flow cytometry. Keratinocyte migration was determined by using a scratch wound-healing assay. A mechanism for regulation of migration was explored via immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Our results suggest that ASX produces no significant toxicity in human keratinocyte cells. Cell-cycle analysis on ASX-treated keratinocytes demonstrated a significant increase in keratinocyte cell proliferation at the S phase. In addition, ASX increased keratinocyte motility across the wound space in a time-dependent manner. The mechanism by which ASX increased keratinocyte migration was associated with induction of filopodia and formation of lamellipodia, as well as with increased Cdc42 and Rac1 activation and decreased RhoA activation. CONCLUSIONS: ASX stimulates the migration of keratinocytes through Cdc42, Rac1 activation and RhoA inhibition. ASX has a positive role in the re-epithelialization of wounds. Our results may encourage further in vivo and clinical study into the development of ASX as a potential agent for wound repair.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.557-563
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• 2015

Skin aging is the most readily observable process involved in human aging. Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation causes photo-oxidation via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby damaging the nucleus and cytoplasm of skin cells and ultimately leading to cell death. Recent studies have shown that high levels of solar UVB irradiation induce the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in skin fibroblasts, causing photo-aging and tumor progression. The MMP family is involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix in normal physiological processes such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as in disease processes such as arthritis and metastasis. We investigated the effect of diphlorethohydroxycarmalol (DPHC) against damage induced by UVB radiation in human skin keratinocytes. In UVB-irradiated cells, DPHC significantly reduced expression of MMP mRNA and protein, as well as activation of MMPs. Furthermore, DPHC reduced phosphorylation of ERK and JNK, which act upstream of c-Fos and c-Jun, respectively; consequently, DPHC inhibited the expression of c-Fos and c-Jun, which are key components of activator protein-1 (AP-1, up-regulator of MMPs). Additionally, DPHC abolished the DNA-binding activity of AP-1, and thereby prevented AP-1-mediated transcriptional activation. These data demonstrate that by inactivating ERK and JNK, DPHC inhibits induction of MMPs triggered by UVB radiation.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 1993

An experimental study was performed for the preparation of living skin-equivalent by the using collagen gel contraction with human fibroblasts as neodermls and cultured human keratinocytes as neoderm is . The results were as follows ; 1) The rate of collagen gel contraction was dependent on the number of fibroblasts into the lattice and collagen contraction was progressed according to the increment of the number of the cells. 2) The rate of collagen gel contraction was progressed according to the decrement of the contraction of the collagen. 3) The rate of gel contraction was progressed according to the increment of serum concentration in the fixed concentration of the fibroblasts and collagen. 4) The lattice contraction was decreased according to the increment of the population doublings of the fibroblasts. 5) Macroscopically, the artificial dermis was gray white in color and tissue-like consistency and elas- ticity. 6) Microscopically, three dimensionally contracted artificial dermis showed more dense fibroblasts and its newly formed collagen fibrils in the matrix than one dimensionally contracted one. 7) Finally prepared skin-equivalent showed good attachment of living stratified keratinocytes to the dermal equivalent microscopically. It has been proposed that newly formed skin-equivalent is suitable for the graft of extensively and deeply burned patients. Shortening of the manufacturing period of skin-equivalent and development of conservation technique as a readily usable state are to be solved for our ongoing works.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.45-49
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-aging effects on cultured human keratinocytes with Nelumbo nucifera extracts. Methods : Each parts of leaves, flowers and stamen were extracted with water or 70% ethanol. These extracts were tested for cell viability on HaCaT cells (human keratinocyte line) by MTT assay. We investigated the effects of Ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiation on cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation in cultured skin keratinocytes. Results : The ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera flowers showed maximun cell viability as 111.39% in 30 ug/ml concentration. The water extracts of stamen, flowers, leaves showed cell viability as 107.12, 101.65, 101.46%, respectively. HaCaT keratinocytes were survived 63.06% at $20mJ/cm^2$ UVB irradiation. The cell membrane lipid peroxidation was measured by accumulation malondialdehyde (MDA). The levels of MDA were decreased by the ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera flowers and the water extracts of stamen. Conclusions : These finding suggest that the ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera flowers prevent anti-aging effects on cultured human keratinocytes during UVB irradiation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2015

Most skin damage caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is owing to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Phytochemicals can act as antioxidants against UVB-induced oxidative stress. This study investigated the protective effects of the flavone galangin against UVB-induced oxidative damage in human keratinocytes. Galangin efficiently scavenged free radicals and reduced UVB-induced damage to cellular macromolecules, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. Furthermore, galangin rescued cells undergoing apoptosis induced by UVB radiation via recovering mitochondrial polarization and down-regulating apoptotic proteins. These results showed that galangin protects human keratinocytes against UVB radiation-induced cellular damage and apoptosis via its antioxidant effects.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.648-654
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• 2023

Oxidative stress-induced melanocyte apoptosis is linked to the immune system and plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Aquaporin-3 (AQP3), which is downregulated in vitiligo keratinocytes, regulates intracellular H₂O₂ accumulation. However, the role of AQP3 in oxidative stress is uncertain in vitiligo. This study investigated the effect of downregulated AQP3 on oxidative stress in vitiligo using lesional and non-lesional skin specimen sets from vitiligo patients and primary cultured adult normal human epidermal keratinocytes, with or without downregulation and overexpression of AQP3 in the presence or absence of H₂O₂ treatment. The levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and/or its main target, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO-1), were lower in the lesional keratinocytes and cultured keratinocytes with AQP3 knockdown, but were increased in keratinocytes upon AQP3 overexpression. Ratios of NRF2 nuclear translocation and NQO-1 expression levels were further reduced in AQP3-knockdown keratinocytes following H₂O₂ treatment. The conditioned media from AQP3-knockdown keratinocytes treated with H₂O₂ contained higher concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, the number of viable melanocytes was reduced when the conditioned media were added to the culture media. Overall, AQP3 downregulation in the keratinocytes of patients with vitiligo can induce oxidative stress in neighboring melanocytes, leading to melanocyte death.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the epidermal moisturizing effects of artocarpin on normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). To investigate the effects of artocarpin on NHEKs, cell viability and the expression of mRNAs related to skin hydration were measured. In addition, hyaluronic acid (HA)-ELISA assay was performed. Here, the effects of artocarpin on AQP3, HAS2, KRT1, and KRT10 mRNA expression, and on HA production, following UVA treatment were reported. The Quantitative real-time PCR results demonstrate that artocarpin increased AQP3, HAS2, KRT1, and KRT10 mRNA levels. The HA-ELISA assay revealed that artocarpin also increased HA production in NHEKs. Through these experiments, the epidermal moisturizing effects of artocarpin have been elucidated, providing evidence that artocarpin may be a potent cosmetic ingredient in skin anti-aging and moisturizing products. Based on these results, I anticipate that further research on the mechanisms of action of artocarpin may allow the development of not only cosmetics, but also medicines and healthcare foods.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.228-233
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• 2021

This research was carried out to investigate the moisturizing effects of Agarum cribrosum extract on normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). Moisturizing effects of A. cribrosum extract on NHEKs were measured by quantitative realtime RT-PCR to verify the gene expressions related to skin hydration, hyaluronic acid (HA)-ELISA to detect HA production, and cell viability assays. A. cribrosum extract increased the mRNA levels of the AQP3 and HAS2 genes and HA production in NHEKs. On the other hand, A. cribrosum extract decreased the mRNA level of the KRT1 and KRT10 genes known as differentiated keratinocyte marker in NHEKs. This research showed the moisturizing effects of A. cribrosum extract. The results indicate that A. cribrosum extract can be a potent functional ingredient for skin hydration and anti-aging products. Further study is warranted regarding the use of A. cribrosum extract to develop not only cosmetics but also food and medicine.