Hydrolyzed Collagen Induces an Anti-Inflammatory Response That Induces Proliferation of Skin Fibroblast and Keratinocytes

Matrikines in the skin: Origin, effects, and therapeutic potential

The extracellular matrix (ECM) represents a complex multi-component environment that has a decisive influence on the biomechanical properties of tissues and organs. Depending on the tissue, ECM components are subject to a homeostasis of synthesis and degradation, a subtle interplay that is influenced by external factors and the intrinsic aging process and is often disturbed in pathologies. Upon proteolytic cleavage of ECM proteins, small bioactive peptides termed matrikines can be formed. These bioactive peptides play a crucial role in cell signaling and contribute to the dynamic regulation of both physiological and pathological processes such as tissue remodeling and repair as well as inflammatory responses. In the skin, matrikines exert an influence for instance on cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation as well as vasodilation, angiogenesis and protein expression. Due to their manifold functions, matrikines represent promising leads for developing new therapeutic options for the treatment of skin diseases. This review article gives a comprehensive overview on matrikines in the skin, including their origin in the dermal ECM, their biological effects and therapeutic potential for the treatment of skin pathologies such as melanoma, chronic wounds and inflammatory skin diseases or for their use in anti-aging cosmeceuticals.

Effects of Hydrolyzed Collagen as a Dietary Supplement on Fibroblast Activation: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts.

METHODS

The search was conducted for journals that published articles in the English language, peer-reviewed, meeting the following criteria: (a) randomized clinical trials, (b) randomized studies in animals or humans, (c) in vitro studies, (d) studies using hydrolyzed collagens or collagen peptides, and (e) studies assessing alterations on fibroblasts as the primary or secondary outcome. We utilized the main journal databases PubMed/Web of Science and ongoing reviews by PROSPERO. For bias risk and methodological quality, we used an adaptation of the Downs and Black checklist. Our review followed the PRISMA checklist, conducted from February 2024 to the first week of March 2024, by two independent researchers (P.A.Q.I. and R.P.V.).

RESULTS

Eleven studies were included in this review, where our findings reinforce the notion that hydrolyzed collagens or collagen peptides at concentrations of 50-500 μg/mL are sufficient to stimulate fibroblasts in human and animal tissues without inducing toxicity. Different enzymatic processes may confer distinct biological properties to collagens, allowing for scenarios favoring fibroblast promotion or antioxidant effects. Lastly, collagens with lower molecular weights exhibit greater bioavailability to adjacent tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydrolyzed collagens or collagen peptides with molecular sizes ranging from <3 to 3000 KDa promote the stimulation of fibroblasts in human tissues.

The Ethyl Acetate Extract of Caulerpa microphysa Promotes Collagen Homeostasis and Inhibits Inflammation in the Skin

Inflammation and collagen-degrading enzymes' overexpression promote collagen decomposition, which affects the structural integrity of the extracellular matrix. The polysaccharide and peptide extracts of the green alga Caulerpa microphysa (C. microphysa) have been proven to have anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and antioxidant effects in vivo and in vitro. However, the biological properties of the non-water-soluble components of C. microphysa are still unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated the higher effective anti-inflammatory functions of C. microphysa ethyl acetate (EA) extract than water extract up to 16-30% in LPS-induced HaCaT cells, including reducing the production of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Furthermore, the excellent collagen homeostasis effects from C. microphysa were proven by suppressing the matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) secretion, enhancing type 1 procollagen and collagen expressions dose-dependently in WS1 cells. Moreover, using UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis, four terpenoids, siphonaxanthin, caulerpenyne, caulerpal A, and caulerpal B, were identified and may be involved in the superior collagen homeostasis and anti-inflammatory effects of the C. microphysa EA extract.

A Novel Comprehensive Therapeutic Approach to the Challenges of Chronic Wounds: A Brief Review and Clinical Experience Report

Following the clinical perspective and concept that a healthy body will not develop chronic wounds, the central approach for the treatment described here is based on an understanding of how the body transforms the wound microenvironment from a non-healing to a healing state. As part of a comprehensive treatment regimen that includes OCM™ (complete matrix), wound preparation, and skin protectant formulations, the OCM contains components for complete wound healing by attending to the individual needs required to promote the closure of each unique chronic wound. During application of the comprehensive treatment regimen in independent investigator-led trials, the total wound percentage average reduction over the first 4 weeks of treatment was 60% across multiple wound types; median time to total wound closure was 6.9 weeks. Safety testing of the OCM formulation shows no potential allergenicity, no potential sensitization, and no known product-related adverse events. Clinical trials evaluating the OCM formulation as part of the comprehensive treatment regimen of multiple wound types are underway. Results of clinical trials and real-world experiences will expand current knowledge of the wound-healing potential of this novel product.

Photo-crosslinked GelMA loaded with dental pulp stem cells and VEGF to repair critical-sized soft tissue defects in rats

BACKGROUND

Tissue engineering of skin and mucosa is essential for the esthetic and functional reconstruction of individuals disfigured by trauma, resection surgery, or severe burns while overcoming the limited amount of autograft and donor site morbidity.

PURPOSE

We aimed to determine whether a combination of Gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel scaffold alone or loaded with either dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and/or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could improve skin wound healing in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four 10 mm full-thickness skin defects were created on the dorsum of 15 Sprague-Dawley rats. The wounds were treated with GelMA alone, GelMA+DPSCs, or GelMA+DPSCs+VEGF. Unprotected wounds were used as controls. Animals were euthanized at 1-, 2-, and 4 weeks post-surgery, and the healing wounds were harvested for clinical, histological, and RT-PCR analysis.

RESULTS

No signs of clinical inflammation were observed among all groups. Few and sparse mononuclear inflammatory cells were observed in GelMA+DPSCs and GelMA+DPSCs+VEGF groups at 2 weeks, with complete epithelialization of the wounds. At 4 weeks, the epidermis in GelMA+DPSCs and GelMA+DPSCs+VEGF groups was indistinguishable from the empty defect and GelMA groups. The decrease in cellularity and increase in density of collagen fibers were observed over time in both GelMA+DPSCs and GelMA+DPSCs+VEGF groups but were more evident in the GelMA+DPSCs+VEGF group. The GelMA+DPSCs+VEGF group showed a higher expression of the KER 10 gene at all time points compared with the other groups. Expression of Col1 A1 and TGFβ-1 were not statistically different over time neither among the groups.

CONCLUSION

GelMA scaffolds loaded with DPSCs, and VEGF accelerated the re-epithelialization of skin wounds.

Chitosan/Gelatin Scaffolds Loaded with Jatropha mollissima Extract as Potential Skin Tissue Engineering Materials

This work aimed to develop chitosan/gelatin scaffolds loaded with ethanolic extract of Jatropha mollissima (EEJM) to evaluate the influence of its content on the properties of these structures. The scaffolds were prepared by freeze-drying, with different EEJM contents (0-10% (w/w)) and crosslinked with genipin (0.5% (w/w)). The EEJM were characterized through High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to a Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD), and the determination of three secondary metabolites contents was accomplished. The physical, chemical and biological properties of the scaffolds were investigated. From the HPLC-DAD, six main substances were evidenced, and from the quantification of the total concentration, the condensed tannins were the highest (431.68 ± 33.43 mg·g^-1). Spectroscopy showed good mixing between the scaffolds' components. Adding and increasing the EEJM content did not significantly influence the properties of swelling and porosity, but did affect the biodegradation and average pore size. The enzymatic biodegradation test showed a maximum weight loss of 42.89 within 28 days and reinforced the efficiency of genipin in crosslinking chitosan-based materials. The addition of the extract promoted the average pore sizes at a range of 138.44-227.67 µm, which is compatible with those reported for skin regeneration. All of the scaffolds proved to be biocompatible for L929 cells, supporting their potential application as skin tissue engineering materials.