Upregulated epidermal growth factor receptor expression following near-infrared irradiation simulating solar radiation in a three-dimensional reconstructed human corneal epithelial tissue culture model

Up-Regulated Expression of ICAM1, MT1A, PTGS2, LCE3D, PPARD, and GM-CSF2 Following Solar Skincare Protection and Repair Strategies in a 3-Dimensional Reconstructed Human Skin Model

Background

Clinical, optical and histological research confirms that solar skin damage continues to pose a threat to human skin health globally despite widespread sunscreen usage and sun awareness campaigns. Despite this, very few studies examine the critical changes in gene expression and DNA repair activity following recommended topical solar protection and repair strategies to ameliorate the harmful effects of ultraviolet, visible light and near-infrared radiation.

Purpose

To investigate alterations in gene expression following topical solar protection and solar repair strategies.

Methods

Using epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts derived from a 3-dimensional reconstructed human skin model, gene expression was assessed via the Genemarkers Standard Skin Panel using 112 genes deploying two analytical techniques: DNA microarray and quantitative real-time PCR exploration. Tissues were inoculated with products then collected after 24 hours following application of solar protection formulations and 16 hours following solar repair formulations (The Essential Six, RATIONALE, Victoria, Australia).

Results

A DNA microarray revealed 67 genes that were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated following the treatment. The quantitative real-time PCR revealed that, in comparison to the control, the genes encoding Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM1), Metallothionein 1A (MT1A), Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 1 (PTGS2), Late Cornified Envelope 3D (LCE3D), Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor (PPARD), and Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor 2 (GM-CSF2) have been up-regulated following usage of the solar protection regime, 1.87, 861.16, 4.34, 1.91, 1.06, and 3.6, respectively. ICAM1, MT1A, PTGS2, LCE3D, PPARD, and GM-CSF2 were up-regulated following use of the solar repair regime, 3.78, 2.98, 14.89, 5.09, 2.42, and 13.51, respectively.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that a specific solar protection and repair regime upregulated genes involved in photoprotection and repair mechanisms in a 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructed human-like skin model.

Corneal UV Protective Effects of a Topical Antioxidant Formulation: A Pilot Study on In Vivo Rabbits

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of a topical antioxidant and ultraviolet (UV) shielding action formulation containing riboflavin and D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) vitamin E against corneal UV-induced damage in vivo rabbit eyes. In vivo experiments were performed using male albino rabbits, which were divided into four groups. The control group (CG) did not receive any UV irradiation; the first group (IG) was irradiated with a UV-B−UV-A lamp for 30 min; the second (G30) and third (G60) groups received UV irradiation for 30 and 60 min, respectively, and were topically treated with one drop of the antioxidant and shielding formulation every 15 min, starting one hour before irradiation, until the end of UV exposure. The cornea of the IG group showed irregular thickening, detachment of residual fragments of the Descemet membrane, stromal fluid swelling with consequent collagen fiber disorganization and disruption, and inflammation. The cornea of the G30 group showed edema, a mild thickening of the Descemet membrane without fibrillar collagen disruption and focal discoloration, or inflammation. In the G60 group, the cornea showed a more severe thickening, a more abundant fluid accumulation underneath the Descemet membrane with focal detachment, and no signs of severe tissue alterations, as were recorded in the IG group. Our results demonstrate that topical application of eye drops containing riboflavin and TPGS vitamin E counteracts UV corneal injury in exposed rabbits.

Three-dimensional Quantification of Skin Surface Displacement Following Skin Rejuvenation Using Solar Protection and Solar Repair

BACKGROUND: Common techniques, including photography and subjective assessments, have been used to measure the efficacy of skin rejuvenation treatments. However, the efficacy of skin treatments can be difficult to assess, particularly when the effects are gradual or subtle. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effectiveness of a skincare regimen for skin rejuvenation that employs comprehensive solar protection, ranging from ultraviolet through to near-infrared radiation, and nightly repair of photodamage, and clarified the difference in the results relative to other lifting medical procedures. METHODS: Twenty Japanese patients were enrolled in this study. The participants used topical skincare products (The Essential Six; RATIONALE, Victoria, Australia) for six months. Patients did not use any other skincare formulations and did not undergo any form of aesthetic procedures during the study. A superimposed three-dimensional volumetric assessment and quantification of three-dimensional skin surface displacement with vectors were performed at baseline and after six months of treatment with the topical skincare products. RESULTS: Improvements in skin texture and clarity as recorded via digital photography and volumetric reduction was observed relative to pretreatment in all patients. All patients self-reported skin rejuvenation, tightening, and lifting. Most vectors suggested three-dimensional skin surface displacement at the forehead, lateral sides of the cheek, and around the chin. CONCLUSION: Skin tightening and lifting effects are not synonymous. The results of this study suggest the solar-specfic skincare formulations evaluated here constitute a safe and effective means of skin rejuvenation and tightening.

Long-term objective assessments of skin rejuvenation using solar protection and solar repair shown through digital facial surface analysis and three-dimensional volumetric assessment

Background

Despite the knowledge that the vast majority of skin aging is caused by the sun, and the widespread prevalence of sunscreen usage, solar skin damage continues to occur due to the combined biological impact of ultraviolet, visible light and near-infrared radiation. Sunscreens have only proven effective at filtering ultraviolet light. They do not attenuate visible light or near-infrared.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel, solar-specific skincare approach embracing both comprehensive daily solar protection from ultraviolet through to near-infrared radiation and nightly solar repair.

Participants

Eighteen Japanese patients were enrolled in this study. Topical skincare products (The Essential Six, RATIONALE, Victoria, Australia), comprising solar protection preparations to be used in the morning and topical solar repair at night, were applied to the patients’ skin for 12 months. Patients refrained from using any other skincare formulations and did not undergo any form of medical esthetic treatment during the study.

Measurements

Digital facial skin and three-dimensional volumetric assessment were performed pre- and post-treatment, and patient assessments were recorded after 6 and 12 months post-treatment.

Results

Improvements in skin texture and luminosity as recorded via digital photography, significant amelioration of skin redness and pigmentation in facial surface analysis, and volumetric reduction in three-dimensional volumetric assessment were observed compared to the pre-treatment for all patients. Eighty-nine percent, and 94% of patients self-reported their approval of treatment outcomes after 6 and 12 months post-treatment, respectively. Minor complications, characterized by slight pain and itching were observed in 3 patients. These minor complications resolved spontaneously.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that the solar-specific skincare formulations focused on the daily comprehensive prevention of negative solar effects and nightly repair of photodamage provide a safe and highly effective pathway to skin preservation and rejuvenation.

Upregulated expression of La ribonucleoprotein domain family member 6 and collagen type I gene following water-filtered broad-spectrum near-infrared irradiation in a 3-dimensional human epidermal tissue culture model as revealed by microarray analysis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Water-filtered broad-spectrum near-infrared irradiation can induce various biological effects, as our previous clinical, histological, and biochemical investigations have shown. However, few studies that examined the changes thus induced in gene expression. The aim was to investigate the changes in gene expression in a 3-dimensional reconstructed epidermal tissue culture exposed to water-filtered broad-spectrum near-infrared irradiation.

METHODS

DNA microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was used to assess gene expression levels in a 3-dimensional reconstructed epidermal model composed of normal human epidermal cells exposed to water-filtered broad-spectrum near-infrared irradiation. The water filter allowed 1000-1800 nm wavelengths and excluded 1400-1500 nm wavelengths, and cells were exposed to 5 or 10 rounds of near-infrared irradiation at 10 J/cm2 .

RESULTS

A DNA microarray with over 50 000 different probes showed 18 genes that were upregulated or downregulated by at least twofold after irradiation. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that, relative to control cells, the gene encoding La ribonucleoprotein domain family member 6 (LARP6), which regulates collagen expression, was significantly and dose-dependently upregulated (P < 0.05) by water-filtered broad-spectrum near-infrared exposure. Gene encoding transcripts of collagen type I were significantly upregulated compared with controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the ability of water-filtered broad-spectrum near-infrared irradiation to stimulate the production of type I collagen.