Novel Functions of the Anticoagulant Activated Protein C in Maintaining Skin Barrier Integrity to Impact on Skin Disease

Transdermal characteristic study of bovine sialoglycoproteins with anti-skin aging and accelerating skin wound healing

BACKGROUND

Sialoglycoproteins play important roles in various biological processes, including cell adhesion, immune response, and cell signaling. Our previous studies indicated that the bovine sialoglycoproteins could be developed as a reagent against skin aging and as a new candidate for accelerating skin wound healing as well as inhibiting scar formation. However, transdermal characteristic of the bovine sialoglycoproteins is still unknown.

AIMS

This study investigated the transdermal permeation of the bovine sialoglycoproteins through porcine skin using the Franz diffusion cell method.

RESULTS

Our study showed that the bovine sialoglycoproteins could penetrate through the porcine skin with a linear permeation pattern described by the regression equation N% = 11.49 t-3.858, with a high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9903). The histochemical results demonstrated the widespread distribution of the bovine sialoglycoproteins between the epidermal and dermal layers, which suggesting parts of the bovine sialoglycoproteins had ability to traverse the epidermal barrier. The results of the lectin microarrays indicated highly enriched glycopatterns on the bovine sialoglycoproteins, which also appeared in permeated porcine skin. The LC-MS/MS analysis further showed that the bovine sialoglycoproteins were composed of approximately 100 proteins with molecular weight ranging from 748.4 kDa to 10 kDa, and there were 23 specific bovine sialoglycoproteins with molecular weight ranging from 69.2 kDa to 10 kDa to be characterized in permeated porcine skin.

CONCLUSIONS

Parts of the bovine sialoglycoproteins with molecular weight less than 69.2 kDa had ability to traverse the epidermal barrier. Understanding the permeation characteristics of the bovine sialoglycoproteins for developing innovative formulations with therapeutic benefits, contributing to advancements in cosmetic and dermatological fields.

Sex-dependent effects of genetic upregulation of activated protein C on delayed effects of acute radiation exposure in the mouse heart, small intestine, and skin

Accidental exposure to ionizing radiation may lead to delayed effects of acute radiation exposure (DEARE) in many organ systems. Activated protein C (APC) is a known mitigator of the acute radiation syndrome. To examine the role of APC in DEARE, we used a transgenic mouse model with 2- to 3-fold increased plasma levels of APC (high in APC, APCHi). Male and female APCHi mice and wild-type littermates were exposed to 9.5 Gy γ-rays with their hind-legs (bone marrow) shielded from radiation to allow long-term survival. At 3 and 6 months after irradiation, cardiac function was measured with ultrasonography. At 3 months, radiation increased cardiac dimensions in APCHi males, while decreases were seen in wild-type females. At this early time point, APCHi mice of both sexes were more susceptible to radiation-induced changes in systolic function compared to wild-types. At 6 months, a decrease in systolic function was mainly seen in male mice of both genotypes. At 6 months, specimens of heart, small intestine and dorsal skin were collected for tissue analysis. Female APCHi mice showed the most severe radiation-induced deposition of cardiac collagens but were protected against a radiation-induced loss of microvascular density. Both male and female APCHi mice were protected against a radiation induced upregulation of toll-like receptor 4 in the heart, but this did not translate into a clear protection against immune cell infiltration. In the small intestine, the APCHi genotype had no effect on an increase in the number of myeloperoxidase positive cells (seen mostly in females) or an increase in the expression of T-cell marker CD2 (males). Lastly, both male and female APCHi mice were protected against radiation-induced epidermal thickening and increase in 3-nitrotyrosine positive keratinocytes. In conclusion, prolonged high levels of APC in a transgenic mouse model had little effects on indicators of DEARE in the heart, small intestine and skin, with some differential effects in male compared to female mice.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis and Steven-Johnson Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review

Significance: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Steven-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are potentially fatal acute mucocutaneous vesiculobullous disorders. Evidence to date suggests that outcomes for patients with both TEN and SJS are largely dependent on stopping the causative agent, followed by supportive care and appropriate wound management in a specialized burns unit. These are life-threatening conditions characterized by widespread full-thickness cutaneous and mucosal necrosis. This article outlines the approach to holistic management of such patients, in a specialized unit, highlighting various practical aspects of wound care to prevent complications such as infection, mucosal and adhesions, and ocular scaring. Recent Advances: There is improved understanding of pain and morbidity with regard to the type and frequency of dressing changes. More modern dressings, such as nanocrystalline, are currently favored as they may be kept in situ for longer periods. The most recent evidence on systemic agents, such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine, and novel treatments, are also discussed. Critical Issues: Following cessation of the culprit trigger, management in a specialized burns unit is the most important management step. It is now understood that a multidisciplinary team is essential in the care of these patients. Following admission of such patients, dermatology, ear, nose, and throat surgery, ophthalmology, urology, colorectal surgery, and gynecology should all be consulted to prevent disease sequelae. Future Directions: Looking forward, research is aimed at achieving prospective data on the efficacy of systemic immunomodulating agents and dressing types. Tertiary centers with burns units should develop policies for such patients to ensure that the relevant teams are consulted promptly to avoid mucocutaneous complications.

Protein C Deficiency as a Risk Factor for Stroke in Young Adults: A Review

Protein C (PC) is a 62-kD vitamin K dependent glycoprotein produced by the liver as a zymogen and is activated by binding to the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex, with protein S (PS) acting as a cofactor. Among its various functions, PC acts as a naturally occurring anticoagulant and its deficiency, either homozygous or heterozygous, predisposes the individual to a state of thrombosis, particularly venous thromboembolism, and mainfests as myocardial infarction (MI), deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or stroke. This review discusses the pathophysiology of the anticoagulatory effect of PC, mode of inheritance of its deficiency, the arterial and venous involvement in patients with stroke, and its risk factors. A detailed analysis of published case reports on PC deficiency as a causative agent of stroke in young adults has also been included along with the management of such patients.

Implications of grape extract and its nanoformulated bioactive agent resveratrol against skin disorders

The grape seed extract (GSE) and its main active polyphenol, resveratrol (RES), have shown considerable antioxidant activities, besides possessed protective and therapeutic effects against various skin complications. This paper discusses the favorable effects of RES, GSE and their nanoformulations for dermatological approaches, with specific emphasis on clinical interventions. In this manner, electronic databases including PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar were searched. Data were collected from 1980 up to February 2019. The search terms included "Vitis vinifera", "grape", "resveratrol", "skin", "dermatology", and "nanoformulation". To increase the skin permeability of GSE and RES, several innovative nanoformulation such as liposomes, niosomes, solid-lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and lipid-core nanocapsule has been evaluated. According to our extensive searches, both RES and GSE have beneficial impacts on skin disorders such as chloasma, acne vulgaris, skin aging, as well as wound and facial redness. More clinical studies with nanoformulation approaches are recommended to achieve conclusive outcomes regarding the efficacy of RES and GSE in the management of skin diseases.

The Potential of Triterpenoids from Loquat Leaves (Eriobotrya japonica) for Prevention and Treatment of Skin Disorder

The leaves of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) possess high medicinal value and have been used as traditional medicines. However, there are no evidence-based studies on the skin-care effects of E. japonica leaves. To explore new biological activities of E. japonica leaves against skin disorder and to gain a better understanding of the chemical components associated with bioactivities, we evaluated 18 triterpenoids from E. japonica leaves on anti-melanogenesis, anti-acne, anti-allergy and anti-aging activities. Our results revealed that eight compounds showed anti-melanogenesis activity, of which ursolic acid (1) and maslinic acid (7) were the most potent with the similar selective index to that of arbutin. Structure–activity relationship and possible mechanism of active compounds were proposed. Twelve compounds exhibited anti-acne effect; ursolic acid (1), maslinic acid (7), corosolic acid (8) and euscaphic acid (12) showed highest activities against P. acnes. Four compounds displayed anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory activity; 3-epicorosolic acid (9) and euscaphic acid (12) showed marked activity against β-hexosaminidase release. Finally, ursolic acid (1), pomolic acid (10), colosolic acid (8) and its methylated derivative (6) exhibited the highest anti-aging activity by stimulating collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA) production. Our findings provide valuable evidence that E. japonica leaves have potential applications as ingredients of function foods or cosmetics for health benefits and a number of triterpenoids may play an important role in these bioactivities.