Involvement of Reactive Oxygen Species in TGF-β1-induced Tropoelastin Expression by Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Chronic exposure to solar UV radiation causes marked changes in the dermal extracellular matrix that underlie the loss of resiliency and increased laxity observed in photoaged skin. In particular, the dermal elastin content increases substantially and the normal, well-organized elastic fibers are replaced by amorphous elastotic material. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) stimulates synthesis of elastin by dermal fibroblasts and may mediate the increase in elastin in chronically photodamaged skin. We investigated pathways involved in the TGF–β1-induced increase in tropoelastin (TE), the soluble elastin monomer and assessed the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the regulation of TE mRNA. Antioxidants and an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase blocked TGF–β1-induced TE mRNA increase even when added 1.5 h after TGF-β1, although ROS were detected for only 30 min. The TE mRNA increase required activation of Smad4, shown using Smad4 siRNA, and also involved the ERK1/2, p38 and JNK MAP kinases but not PI3K. ROS did not enhance signaling through Smad2 but did enhance activation of p38 and ERK1/2 at 10 min after TGF-β1. These results indicate that Smad and MAPK pathways mediate TGF–β1-induced TE expression and that ROS are required for both early signal transduction and later steps that increase elastin.     

Ultraviolet B Wavelength Dependence for the Regulation of Two Major Matrix-Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitor TIMP-1 in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Abstract— The wavelength dependence for the regulation of two major matrix-metalloproteinases, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), and their major inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1), was studied in human dermal fibroblasts in vitro . Monochromatic irradiation at 302, 307, 312 and 317 nm with intensities ranging from 20 to 300 J/m² increased MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA steady-state levels and the secretion of the corresponding proteins up to 4.4-fold, whereas almost no increase was observed at wavelengths <290 nm. In contrast, the synthesis of TIMP-1 increased only marginally. This imbalance may contribute to the severe connective tissue damage related to photoaging of the skin. The wavelengths responsible for MMP-1 and MMP-3 induction reported here are distinct from the absorption spectrum of DNA and are different from results previously reported in the literature. Importantly, they overlap with wavelengths whose intensity is predicted to increase on the earth's surface upon ozone depletion. Intensities and particular wavelengths used in our studies in vitro can be absorbed readily by fibroblasts within the skin in vivo and, thus, are relevant for risk assessment and development of protective agents.     

CYTOKINE RELEASE BY PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONONUCLEAR CELLS IS AFFECTED BY 8-METHOXYPSORALEN PLUS UV-A

Psoralen plus UV-A (PUVA) is an effective therapy for psoriasis but also for other inflammatory dermatoses. The precise mechanisms of action, however, are not absolutely clear. Therefore, the effect of PUVA on the release of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) was studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from humans were incubated with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and exposed to UV-A (20 kJ/m²). This treatment resulted in a significant reduction of IL-6 and IL-8 amounts in the supernatants. In addition, an inhibition of IL-1β and TNFα production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PBMC was observed upon PUVA treatment. Accordingly, northern blot analysis showed decreased levels of mRNA encoding for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα in PUVA-treated PBMC. Finally PBMC were obtained from psoriatics undergoing oral photochemotherapy before the beginning and after completion of treatment. The PBMC collected after PUVA spontaneously produced significantly less IL-6 and IL-8 in comparison to the respective samples obtained before therapy. A similar suppression of IL-1β and TNFα by in vivo PUVA was found in LPS-stimulated PBMC. The present data demonstrate that PUVA both in vitro and in vivo suppresses the production of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα by PBMC. Because these cytokines are important in the mediation of inflammatory reactions, one may speculate that the inhibitory effects could contribute to the antiinflammatory activity of PUVA.     

Ultraviolet B Wavelength Dependence for the Regulation of Two Major Matrix-Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitor TIMP-1 in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Abstract— The wavelength dependence for the regulation of two major matrix-metalloproteinases, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), and their major inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1), was studied in human dermal fibroblasts in vitro. Monochromatic irradiation at 302, 307, 312 and 317 nm with intensities ranging from 20 to 300 J/m² increased MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA steady-state levels and the secretion of the corresponding proteins up to 4.4-fold, whereas almost no increase was observed at wavelengths <290 nm. In contrast, the synthesis of TIMP-1 increased only marginally. This unbalance may contribute to the severe connective tissue damage related to photoaging of the skin. The wavelengths responsible for MMP-1 and MMP-3 induction reported here are distinct from the absorption spectrum of DNA and are different from results previously reported in the literature. Importantly, they overlap with wavelengths whose intensity is predicted to increase on the earth's surface upon ozone depletion. Intensities and particular wavelengths used in our studies in vitro can be absorbed readily by fibroblasts within the skin in vivo and, thus, are relevant for risk assessment and development of protective agents.     

The Application of the Starfish Hatching Enzyme for the Improvement of Scar and Keloid Based on the Fibroblast-Populated Collagen Lattice

Various bioactivities of the starfish hatching enzyme (HE) including collagen gel contraction, MMPs activity, hydroxyproline release, and gene regulation based on the fibroblast-populated collagen lattice (FPCL) in three-dimensional medium were investigated for the improvement of scar and keloid. The starfish HE significantly inhibited the collagen gel contraction over 2 days of culture. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were also identified by gelatin zymography and RT-PCR products with both HE and collagenase treatments, which resulted in the high amount of hydroxyproline release. The HE treatment on the FPCL significantly inhibited the fibroblast proliferation at 3 days of culture. The LPS-induced NO level and iNOS mRNA expression at low concentrations of HE presented a certain ability to inflammatory response. The COX-2 mRNA from the FPCL indicated no significant inflammation-mediated activity at 5 μg/mL of HE, whereas the cytokines of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly higher than those of the control. Hence, the starfish hatching enzyme can regulate the fibroblast-populated collagen gel conditions by the contraction, MMP production, inflammatory gene expression, etc. Therefore, the starfish HE could be a potential cosmeceutical to heal the scar and keloid tissue.     

Purification and Characterization of a Novel Collagenase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus pumilus</Emphasis> Col-J

The collagenase, produced extracellular by Bacillus pumilus Col-J, was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by two gel filtrations, involving Sephadex G-100 column and Sepharose Fast Flow column. Purified collagenase has a 31.53-fold increase in specific activity of 87.33 U/mg and 7.00% recovery. The collagenase has a relative molecular weight of 58.64 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimal temperature for the enzyme reaction was 45 °C. More than 50% of the original activity still remained after 5 min of incubation at 70 °C or 10 min at 60 °C. The maximal enzyme activity of collagenase was obtained at pH 7.5, and it was stable over a pH range of 6.5–8.0. The collagenase activity was strongly inhibited by Mn²⁺, Pb²⁺, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid, and β-mercaptoethanol. However, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ greatly increased its activity. The collagenase from B. pumilus Col-J showed highly specific activity towards the native collagen from calf skin. The K _m and V _max of the enzyme for collagen were 0.79 mg/mL and 129.5 U, respectively.     

Fermentation process optimization of recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of human interferon-α2a

The effects of different culture conditions on the expression level of human interferon-α2a (IFN-α2a) by using recombinant yeast were investigated in a 2.6-Ljar fermentor. Appropriate supplement of glucose and the maintenance of residual glucose at a low level resulted in the reduction of ethanol formation and enhancement of the bioactivity of IFN-α2a to 4.9×10⁶ from 3.1×10⁶ IU/mL. When adenine was added evenlly for 10–20 h of fermentation into the basal culture medium at a speed of 2 μg/mL of medium/h, OD₆₀₀ was greatly increased to 24, and the protein increased to 276 mg/L. The content of ethanol generated was also reduced tremendously during the process and as a result, 1.3×10⁷ IU/mL of biologic activity was achieved. In the expression phase, pH had an important impact on expression level, which should be controlled at 5.5     

Sol-gel bioactive glass-ceramics Part I: Calcium phosphate silicate/wollastonite glass-ceramics

In this work we present experimental results about synthesis, structure evolution and in vitro bioactivity of new calcium phosphate silicate/wollastonite (CPS/W) glass-ceramics. The samples obtained were synthesized via polystep sol-gel process with different Ca/P+Si molar ratio (R). The structure of the materials obtained was studied by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy and SEM. XRD showed the presence of Ca₁₅(PO₄)₂(SiO₄)₆, β-CaSiO₃ and α-CaSiO₃ for the sample with R=1.89 after thermal treatment at 1200°C/2h. The XRD results are in good agreement with FTIR analysis. SEM denotes that apatite formation can be observed after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF).      

Role of p38 MAPKs in Hypericin Photodynamic Therapy-induced Apoptosis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells

The present study aims to determine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in hypericin-mediated photodynamic therapy (HY-PDT)-induced apoptosis of the HK-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. HY-PDT was found to induce proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-9 and -3 in HK-1 cells. Apoptotic nuclei were observed at 6 h after PDT whereas B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2-associated-X-protein (Bax) translocation and formation of Bax channel is responsible for the cell death. Increase in phosphorylation of p38 MAPKs and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) was detected at 15–30 min after HY-PDT. The appearance of phosphorylated form of p38 MAPKs and JNK1/2 was inhibited by the singlet oxygen scavenger l -histidine. HY-PDT-induced cell death was enhanced by the chemical inhibitors for p38 MAPKs (SB202190 and SB203580), but not by the JNKs inhibitor SP600125. Knockdown of the p38α and p38β MAPK isoforms by small interfering RNA (siRNA) are more effective than the p38δ in enhancing PDT-induced cell death. Augmentation of apoptosis by p38α or p38β knockdown is also correlated with the increased proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-9 after HY-PDT treatment. Our results suggested that HY-PDT activated p38 MAPKs through the production of singlet oxygen. Inhibition of p38 MAPKs with chemical inhibitors or siRNA enhances HY-PDT-induced apoptosis of the HK-1 NPC cells.     

Singlet-Oxygen Generation from Liposomes: A Comparison of 6β-Cholesterol Hydroperoxide Formation with Predictions from a One-Dimensional Model of Singlet-Oxygen Diffusion and Quenching

Abstract— We measured 6β-cholesterol hydroperoxide (6β-CHP), a specific singlet-oxygen (O₂(δg)) product, during irradiation of unilamellar dimyristoyl 1-α-phosphatidylcholine liposomes containing cholesterol and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPC). The effects of liposome size, the hydrophobic (O₂(¹δ_g)) quencher, β-carotene, and hydrophilic O₂(¹δ_g) quenchers upon the amount of 6β-CHP formed were determined and interpreted in terms of a one dimensional model of ₂(¹δ_g) quenching and diffusion. The model correctly predicted (1) that the amount of 6β-CHP was increased with increasing liposome size, (2) that P-carotene was more effective at reducing 6β-CHP formation in 400 nm diameter liposomes than 100 nm diameter liposomes and (3) that the hydrophilic quencher, water, was also more effective in large liposomes than in small liposomes.
The hydrophobic quencher, β-carotene, was more effective at reducing the formation of 6β-CHP than at reducing the 1270 nm O₂(¹δ_g) emission. This difference was found to be due to the size distribution present in the liposome preparations because the difference between the 6β-CHP data and the 1270 nm emission data was much smaller in liposome preparations with a narrow size distribution. When a significant size distribution was present, the 6β-CHP data were weighted more heavily with large-diameter liposomes, while the 1270 nm emission data were weighted more heavily with small-diameter liposomes.     

Association of castration-dependent early induction of c-myc expression with a cell proliferation of the ventral prostate gland in rat

The protooncogene c-myc is known to be associated with both cell proliferation and apoptosis. The possible cellular affects of castration on the ventral prostate gland of rat as well as the relationship to a castration induced c-myc expression were examined. Levels of c-myc mRNA in the ventral prostate gland peaked at 6 h (early induction) and 48 h (late induction) after castration, respectively. Castration-induced DNA fragmentation was not observed at an early induction of c-myc mRNA. DNA fragmentation appeared to be testosterone-dependent. On the other hand, cellular DNA synthesis measured by [3H]thymidine uptake in the ventral prostate gland was increased to maximum at 6 h after castration. These results suggest that an early induction of c-myc mRNA in ventral prostate gland after castration is closely associated with cell proliferation of the gland.     

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 is the major collagenolytic enzyme responsible for collagen damage in UV-irradiated human skin

Punch biopsies of human skin were obtained 1 day after irradiation with two minimal-erythema doses (MED) from either a UVB light source or a Solar Simulator and incubated in organ culture for 72 h. Organ culture fluids obtained at 24, 48 and 72 h were analyzed for collagenolytic activity and for reactivity with antibodies to matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1; interstitial collagenase) and MMP-13 (collagenase-3). High levels of collagenolytic activity were seen in organ culture fluid from skin exposed to either light source. MMP-1 was strongly induced in parallel, increasing from less than 100 ng/ml in organ culture fluid from control skin to approximately 1.1 microg/ml in culture fluid from UV-treated skin. Whereas most of the detectable MMP-1 in control culture fluid was represented by the latent form of the enzyme, approximately 50% of the enzyme was present as the active form in organ culture fluid of UV-exposed skin. In contrast, there was no detectable MMP-13 in control organ culture fluid and very little change after UV exposure (less than 100 ng/ml in both cases). Finally, neutralization studies with a blocking antibody to MMP-1 removed 95 +/- 4% of the collagenolytic activity in the organ culture fluid from UV-treated skin. These findings strongly implicate MMP-1 rather than MMP-13 as the major collagenolytic enzyme responsible for collagen damage in photoaging.     

Prostanoids: LXXVII. Synthetic Approaches to Sterically Overcrowded Cyclopentenones

Condensation of (±)-5-allyl-2,3,5-trichloro-4,4-dimethoxy-2-cyclopentenone with phenylethynylmagnesium bromide in THF gave (±)-5-allyl-2,3,5-trichloro-4,4-dimethoxy-1-phenylethynyl-2-cyclopenten-1-ol which chemoselectively reacted with ozone at the terminal double bond, affording (±)-2,3,5-trichloro-5-formylmethyl-4,4-dimethoxy-1-phenylethynyl-2-cyclopenten-1-ol. Oxidation of the latter with H₂CrO₄ yielded a mixture of the expected product, (±)-5-carboxymethyl-2,3,5-trichloro-4,4-dimethoxy-1-phenylethynyl-2-cyclopenten-1-ol, and anomalous profound oxidation product, (±)-2,3,5-trichloro-5-carboxymethyl-4,4-dimethoxy-1-(2-oxo-2-phenylacetyl)-2-cyclopenten-1-ol. Attempts to remove protective methoxy groups in these compounds under standard conditions were unsuccessful.     

Triterpene glycosides ofHedera taurica. XI. Structures of taurosides St-G1, St-H1, and St-H2 from the stems of Crimean ivy

The previously known glycosides 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl]hederagenin and 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl]-28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl]hederagenin and the new triterpene glycoside tauroside St-H₁ — 3-O-β-D-glucopyransyl-28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl]hederagenin — have been isolated from the stems ofHedera taurica Carr. M. V. Frunze Simferopol' State University. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 571–579, July–August, 1993.     

Synthesis and structural modification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl ester of 7α-chloro-2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethylene)-3-methyl-1,1-dioxoceph-3-em-4-carboxylic acid

The reaction of tert-butyl 7α-chloro-and 7-β-chloro-7α-isopropoxy-3-methyl-1,1-dioxoceph-3-em-4-carboxylates with the Vilsmeier reagent was carried out with introduction of N,N-dimethylaminomethylene group at position 2 in the E-and Z-isomeric forms. Prolonged treatment of tert-butyl 7α-chloro-3-methyl-2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethylene)-1,1-dioxoceph-3-em-4-carboxylate with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in acetonitrile at 40–50°C gave tert-butyl 10(S)-chloro-6-methyl-5-oxa-1,1,9-trioxo-1-thia-4,8-diazatricyclo[7,2,0,0^2,6]undecane-7(R)-carboxylate which isomerized into 1-tertbutoxycarbonylmethyl-3α-chloro-4-(5-methylisoxazole-4-sulfonyl)azetidin-2-one. In the case of tertbutyl 7β-chloro-7α-isopropoxy-3-methyl-2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethylen)-1,1-dioxoceph-3-em-4-carboxylate the analogous reaction gave tert-butyl 10β-chloro-(2S,6S,7S,10R,11R)-10α-isopropoxy-6-methyl-5-oxa-1,1,9-trioxo-1-thia-4,8-diazatricyclo[7,2,0,0^2,6]undecane-7(R)-carboxylate, the struc-ture of which was determined by 2D-NOESY two-dimensional spectroscopy. The compounds synthesized showed weak or no cytotoxic activity with respect to monolayers of cancer cells in vitro.     

The effect of NDGA-modified etchant on the enzymatic degradation resistance and mechanical properties of collagen matrix

Bio-modified etchant can significantly improve the biostability of demineralized dentin collagen matrix, which validates the concept of etch-andcrosslink in dentin bonding.     

Triterpene Glycosides from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cussonia paniculata</Emphasis>. II. Acetylated Glycosides from Leaves

Structures of 13 new acetylated triterpene glycosides from leaves of Cussonia paniculata (Araliaceae) were established as 28-O-(2-O-acetyl- and 3-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β -D-glucopyranosides of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (1a and 1b) and hederagenin (2a and 2b), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-(2-O-acetyl- and 3-O-acetyl-a-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→ 4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glycopyranosides of oleanic (3a and 3b) and ursolic (3c and 3d) acids, 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-(4-O-acetyl-, 2-O-acetyl-, and 3-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→ 6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosides of hederagenin (4, d5a and 5b), and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-(2-O-acetyl- and 3-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D- glucopyranosides of oleanic acid (6a and 6b). The structures of the compounds were established using chemical methods and NMR spectroscopy. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 351–356, July–August, 2005.