A rapid extraction procedure of human hair proteins and identification of phosphorylated species

Infected nail plate model made of human hair keratin for evaluating the efficacy of different topical antifungal formulations against Trichophyton rubrum in vitro

A novel model of infected nail plate for testing the efficacy of topical antifungal formulations has been developed. This model utilized keratin film made of human hair keratin as a nail plate model. Subsequent to infection by Trichophyton rubrum, the common causative agent of onychomycosis, keratin films as infected nail plate models were treated with selected topical formulations, that is cream, gel, and nail lacquer. Bovine hoof was compared to keratin film. In contrast to the common antifungal susceptibility test, the antifungal drugs tested were applied as ready-to-use formulations because the vehicle may modify and control the drug action both in vitro and in vivo. Extrapolating the potency of an antifungal drug from an in vitro susceptibility test only would not be representative of the in vivo situation since these drugs are applied as ready-to-use formulations, for example as a nail lacquer. Although terbinafine has been acknowledged to be the most effective antifungal agent against T. rubrum, its antifungal efficacy was improved by its incorporation into an optimal formulation. Different gels proved superior to cream. Therefore, this study is able to discriminate between efficacies of different topical antifungal formulations based on their activities against T. rubrum.

In vitro characterization and ex vivo surgical evaluation of human hair keratin films in ocular surface reconstruction after sterilization processing

The disadvantages of human amniotic membrane (hAM), used for ocular surface reconstruction, necessitate the development of standardized alternatives. Keratin-derived-films (KF) have been indicated as transferable substrate for cell cultivation and tissue engineering. The impact of different sterilization procedures on KF and surgical feasibility were investigated. Human hair KF were prepared and sterilized; optical, biomechanical properties, in vitro cell seeding efficiency and proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells were studied and compared with hAM. Surgical feasibility was tested on enucleated porcine eye. Sterilized KF showed higher light transmission and significantly higher E-modulus than hAM; cell-seeding-efficiency and proliferation rate were not affected. Although KF could be surgically handled, suture placement was more difficult compared to hAM. Plasma treatment seems the best sterilization method for KF; it does not affect cell biology or optical and biomechanical properties. However material modifications are requested before KF may represent a feasible alternative for ocular surface reconstruction.

Novel wound dressing based on nanofibrous PHBV-keratin mats

Keratin is an important protein used for wound healing and tissue recovery. In this study, keratin was first extracted from raw materials and chemically modified to obtain stable keratin (m-keratin). The raw and m-keratin were examined by Raman spectroscopy. The molecular weight of the m-keratin was analysed by SDS-PAGE. The m-keratin was then blended with poly(hydroxybutylate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and electrospun to afford nanofibrous mats. These mats were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). From the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) data, it was found that introduction of keratin enhanced cell proliferation. From wound-healing test and histological examination results, it was shown that the composite mats accelerated wound recovery remarkably as compared to the PHBV control. It was concluded that PHBV-keratin may be a good candidate as a wound dressing.

Rapid non-invasive genotyping of reporter transgenic mammals

Here we describe a non-invasive method for rapid and highly reproducible genotyping of transgenic mammals with ubiquitous expression of fluorophore reporters. Hair samples from transgenic mice and pigs with systemic expression of the fluorophore reporter Venus were analyzed with a fluorescence microscope in few minutes. The hair samples can be preserved for long-term storage at ambient temperature conditions. This non-invasive method is useful for genotyping of transgenic large animals and contributes to animal welfare by reducing stress and discomfort of the animals during sample collection.

Nail biology and nail science

The nail plate is the permanent product of the nail matrix. Its normal appearance and growth depend on the integrity of several components: the surrounding tissues or perionychium and the bony phalanx that are contributing to the nail apparatus or nail unit. The nail is inserted proximally in an invagination practically parallel to the upper surface of the skin and laterally in the lateral nail grooves. This pocket-like invagination has a roof, the proximal nail fold and a floor, the matrix from which the nail is derived. The germinal matrix forms the bulk of the nail plate. The proximal element forms the superficial third of the nail whereas the distal element provides its inferior two-thirds. The ventral surface of the proximal nail fold adheres closely to the nail for a short distance and forms a gradually desquamating tissue, the cuticle, made of the stratum corneum of both the dorsal and the ventral side of the proximal nail fold. The cuticle seals and therefore protects the ungual cul-de-sac. The nail plate is bordered by the proximal nail fold which is continuous with the similarly structured lateral nail fold on each side. The nail bed extends from the lunula to the hyponychium. It presents with parallel longitudinal rete ridges. This area, by contrast to the matrix has a firm attachment to the nail plate and nail avulsion produces a denudation of the nail bed. Colourless, but translucent, the highly vascular connective tissue containing glomus organs transmits a pink colour through the nail. Among its multiple functions, the nail provides counterpressure to the pulp that is essential to the tactile sensation involving the fingers and to the prevention of the hypertrophy of the distal wall tissue, produced after nail loss of the great toe nail.

Biomineralization of calcium phosphate on human hair protein film and formation of a novel hydroxyapatite-protein composite material

Human hair protein can be used not only as a totally biodegradable material but also as a "self-originated" material, which may avoid an undesirable immune reaction, if it has been prepared from a certain individual and implanted into the same person. In this study, a novel organic-inorganic composite, which contains human hair proteins and hydroxyapatite, was investigated as biomineral-scaffolding materials. The human hair protein was extracted by our original "Shindai method" (Nakamura et al., Biol Pharm Bull 2002;25:569-572; Fujii et al., Biol Pharm Bull 2004;27:89-93). The extracts were exposed to CaCl(2) solution for fabrication into flat films, which mainly consisted of alpha-keratin. After washing with distilled water, approximately 3 Ca(2+) ions per 1 keratin molecule bound to the film. The Ca(2+)-binding was slightly sensitive to the ionic strengths, and only Mg(2+) inhibited binding of Ca(2+). A composite of the human hair protein and calcium phosphate was prepared via alternate soaking processes using CaCl(2) and Na(2)HPO(4) solutions. As the soaking cycle proceeded, the film weight increased and its color became white, indicating successful deposition of calcium phosphate. The diameters of deposited calcium phosphate particles were about 2-4 microm. The proteins were not solubilized and degraded during the soaking processes. FTIR and WAXD analyses indicated that calcium phosphate was first deposited as amorphous, then transformed into crystalline monohydrogen calcium phosphate during the earlier soaking cycle, and, via octacalcium phosphate, finally converted into hydroxyapatite after 20 cycles. The present human hair protein/hydroxyapatite composite film is a "self-originated" and also an intact proteinaceous material without chemical modification, and thus, a promising material for hard tissue engineering.

Effects of human hair and nail proteins and their films on rat mast cells

Human hair and nail are valuable materials for producing individual corresponding biocompatible materials. A rapid and convenient protein extraction method (Shindai method) and novel procedures for preparing their protein films from their extracts have been developed using human hair and nail. The effects of the human hair and nail proteins and their films on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells were investigated. Both protein solutions and their films, mainly consisting of keratins and matrix proteins, did not induce histamine release from the mast cells. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also showed that the mast cells were only slightly affected by adding the human hair and nail proteins or by incubating on their protein films. The IgE-dependent histamine release was inhibited by the hair and nail proteins and their films. Incubation of the mast cells with the hair and nail proteins prior to the addition of the IgE serum resulted in a high inhibition (50%) of the histamine release, while the inhibition was approximately 10% when the protein solutions were mixed with the mast cells after incubation with the IgE serum. These results suggest that the human hair and nail proteins and their films will be useful materials for antiallergic actions.

Preparation of scaffolds from human hair proteins for tissue-engineering applications

Human hair proteins were isolated and purified for the fabrication of tissue-engineering scaffolds. Their cellular compatibility was studied using NIH3T3 mice fibroblast cells. The proteins were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for molecular weights and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for their isoelectric points (pIs). The molecular weights of keratins were in the range of 40-60 kilo-Daltons (kDa) and of matrix proteins were in the range of 15-30 kDa. The pIs of keratins were found to be in the range of 4.5-5.3. Sponges of the proteins were formed by lyophilization. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to examine the surface. Swelling studies were carried out in phosphate buffer saline at physiological pH 7.4. The hydrophilic character of the protein surface was studied by determining an average contact angle, which came to be 37 degrees. The wells of tissue culture plates were coated with these proteins for studying the attachment and morphology of the cells. The protein detachment study was done to ensure the adsorption of proteins on the wells until the completion of the experiments. The cellular growth on a protein-coated surface showed three-dimensional 'bulged' morphology due to cell-cell and cell-matrix contacts. The sponges of human hair proteins supported more cells for a longer period than control. The morphology and cell proliferation studies exhibited by NIH3T3 cells on these proteins have shown their potential to be used as tissue-engineering scaffolds with better cell-cell contacts and leucine-aspartic acid-valine (LDV)-mediated cell-matrix interactions.

The proteomics of keratin proteins

Keratin proteins are widespread in nature, being found in the nuclei and cytoplasm of almost all differentiated eukaryote cells. However, they are best known as the principal structural proteins in hair, wool and skin. Because of difficulties associated with their extraction from biological samples, high sequence homology and the presence of numerous post-translational modifications, they have been less well studied than other protein families. Thanks to the advent of modern proteomic techniques we now have available a good suite of tools to study this neglected family of proteins.

Preparation of Translucent and Flexible Human Hair Protein Films and Their Properties

We have developed novel procedures for preparing human hair protein films (Pre-cast and Post-cast methods). The light brown films obtained by these procedures were too fragile to apply to human skin. We found that the film was also formed when the hair proteins extracted by the Shindai method were directly exposed to the solution containing MgCl(2), CaCl(2), NaCl or KCl. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the surface of the novel protein films was smooth. The protein films mainly consist of alpha-keratins and matrix proteins. After drying, the films became translucent and flexible during folding, indicating the possibility that these protein films are useful for practical applications. Hence, we prepared gauze-coated protein films to reinforce their physical strength and tested the influence on human skin. A patch test showed that the protein films made from individual and multiple human hairs only slightly stimulated rubor and anthema, itching, drying, smarting and pain on the contact area of arm skin.

Convenient Procedures for Human Hair Protein Films and Properties of Alkaline Phosphatase Incorporated in the Film

We have developed a novel method of extracting proteins from human hair in the absence of detergent called the "Shindai Method". Using the protein solution consisting of hard alpha-keratins and matrix proteins prepared by this method, we developed two procedures for preparing hair protein films. The protein solution was mixed with trichloroacetic acid (TCA), perchloric acid (PCA) or guanidine-HCl (GHA), and then exposed in distilled water. Light brown aggregates immediately formed (Pre-cast method). The other method is based on the same characteristics of the hair proteins to form protein aggregates. The protein was directly exposed to the solution containing TCA, PCA, GHA, HCl, H(2)SO(4) or acetate buffer (Post-cast method). The maximum yield was greater than 70%. These protein films were water-insoluble and mainly made up of alpha-keratins. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the fine surface of the protein films was composed of particles, filaments, and porous structures and the constitution was dependent on the preparation procedure used. When porcine intestine alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was mixed with the hair protein solution in a Post-cast method using acetate buffer (pH 5), ALP was incorporated into the alpha-keratin films. The activity retained in the protein film was approximately 8% of the original level. The biochemical properties of the ALP activity in the film were similar to those of the native enzyme.

Stimulation of 14-3-3 protein and its isoform on histamine secretion from permeabilized rat peritoneal mast cells

The effect of the 14-3-3 protein, an adaptor protein of intracellular signal pathways, on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells was investigated. The exogenous 14-3-3 protein from bovine brain increased the Ca(2+)-dependent histamine release from permeabilized mast cells, but only slightly affected the non-permeabilized cells. Partial amino acid sequences showed that the bovine brain 14-3-3 protein contained 14-3-3beta, gamma and zeta isoforms, and that these recombinant isoforms were prepared. Among them, 14-3-3zeta was an active species while the 14-3-3beta and gamma were inactive for histamine release from the permeabilized mast cells. Approximately 15% of the histamine release was stimulated by 14-3-3zeta at 2.5 microM, and half-maximal stimulation occurred at 1 microM. Treatment of the mast cells with wortmannin or staurosporine completely inhibited the stimulatory effect on histamine release caused by Ca(2+) or Ca(2+)/14-3-3zeta, and genistein partially inhibited both stimulatory effects. PD 98059, however, had little effect on the histamine release. These results suggest the possibility that 14-3-3zeta is associated with signal transduction for degranulation of the mast cells.