Project description:Here, we asked whether we could identify pharmacological agents that enhance endogenous stem cell function to promote skin repair, focusing on SKPs (skin-derived precursors) a dermal precursor cell population. Libraries of compounds already used in humans were screened for their ability to enhance the self-renewal of human and rodent SKPs. We identified and validated 5 such compounds, and showed that two of them, alprostadil and trimebutine maleate, enhanced the repair of full thickness skin wounds in middle-aged mice. Moreover, SKPs isolated from drug-treated skin displayed long-term increases in self-renewal when cultured in basal growth medium without drugs. Both alprostadil and trimebutine maleate likely mediated increases in SKPs self-renewal by moderate hyperactivation of the MEK-ERK pathway. These findings identify candidates for potential clinical use in human skin repair, and provide support for the idea that pharmacological activation of endogenous tissue precursors represents a viable therapeutic strategy. We obtained three independent isolates of SKPs from newborn Sprague-Dawley rat pups. Secondary SKPs spheres were dissociated, treated with 100 nM of alprostadil, trimebutine maleate or 100 nM of both trimebutine maleate and trametinib for 24 hour. RNA samples deriving from these cells were analyzed on the Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Gene 2.0 ST Array.
Project description:Here, we asked whether we could identify pharmacological agents that enhance endogenous stem cell function to promote skin repair, focusing on SKPs (skin-derived precursors) a dermal precursor cell population. Libraries of compounds already used in humans were screened for their ability to enhance the self-renewal of human and rodent SKPs. We identified and validated 5 such compounds, and showed that two of them, alprostadil and trimebutine maleate, enhanced the repair of full thickness skin wounds in middle-aged mice. Moreover, SKPs isolated from drug-treated skin displayed long-term increases in self-renewal when cultured in basal growth medium without drugs. Both alprostadil and trimebutine maleate likely mediated increases in SKPs self-renewal by moderate hyperactivation of the MEK-ERK pathway. These findings identify candidates for potential clinical use in human skin repair, and provide support for the idea that pharmacological activation of endogenous tissue precursors represents a viable therapeutic strategy.
Project description:Here, we asked whether we could identify pharmacological agents that enhance endogenous stem cell function to promote skin repair, focusing on SKPs (skin-derived precursors) a dermal precursor cell population. Libraries of compounds already used in humans were screened for their ability to enhance the self-renewal of human and rodent SKPs. We identified and validated 5 such compounds, and showed that two of them, alprostadil and trimebutine maleate, enhanced the repair of full thickness skin wounds in middle-aged mice. Moreover, SKPs isolated from drug-treated skin displayed long-term increases in self-renewal when cultured in basal growth medium without drugs. Both alprostadil and trimebutine maleate likely mediated increases in SKPs self-renewal by moderate hyperactivation of the MEK-ERK pathway. These findings identify candidates for potential clinical use in human skin repair, and provide support for the idea that pharmacological activation of endogenous tissue precursors represents a viable therapeutic strategy.
Project description:Pericytes derived from skin dermis can substantially enhance the short-term tissue-regenerative capacity of human epidermal cells already committed to differentiation; they also display both phenotypic and functional properties of mesenchymal stem cells. In this microarray analysis, we compared the gene expression profile of dermal pericytes to that of the remaining dermal cells of neonatal human foreskin.
Project description:We present for the first time the direct molecular effects of microneedling therapy on epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts using a standardized 3D skin model. Microneedling treatment resulted in histological alterations and changed the expression of various genes related to epidermal differentiation, inflammation, and dermal remodeling. We speculate that skin microneedling plays a role in dermal remodeling, increases epidermal differentiation, and might also have a direct effect on collagen synthesis. These findings may increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of human skin repair induced by microneedling therapy and will allow comparisons with competing applications, such as laser therapies
Project description:Pericytes derived from skin dermis can substantially enhance the short-term tissue-regenerative capacity of human epidermal cells already committed to differentiation; they also display both phenotypic and functional properties of mesenchymal stem cells. In this microarray analysis, we compared the gene expression profile of dermal pericytes to that of the remaining dermal cells of neonatal human foreskin. Experiment Overall Design: Human neonatal foreskin was digested overnight in dispase II at 4°C to separate the epidermis from the dermis. Subsequently the dermis was digested for 1-2 hours at 37°C in a mixed dispase and collagenase solution and then fractionated into two populations, i.e. pericytes (HD-1bri) and the remaining dermal cells (HD-1dim), on the basis of differential VLA-1 expression using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Total RNA from 15,000 cells of each population was extracted from 4 independent replicate sorts. mRNAs were amplified using a T7-primer-based-2-round linear RNA amplification protocol (GeneChip Two-Cycle cDNA synthesis kit). Fragmented and biotin-labelled cRNA from each individual sample was hybridised to Affymetrix HG-U133 plus 2.0 arrays and scanned on a Affymetrix GeneChip scanner. Probe intensities were RMA normalized and log2-transformed expression values were compared using moderated t statistics to quantify differences between individual samples.
Project description:Skin aging is a physiological problem that remains a concern. Studies have demonstrated that the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) plays important roles in skin aging; however, changes in ECM characteristics and molecules that are secreted to the extracellular space and involved in the formation of dermal matrix from birth to aging remain unclear. Furthermore, it is not understood how the ECM microenvironment supports the functions of skin development across different age groups. We used a decellularization method and matrisome analysis to compare the composition, expression, and function of the dermal ECM in neonate, teenage, adult, and elderly skin. We found that the collagens, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and regulatory factors that support skin development and function together with these core ECM proteins were differentially expressed at different ages. We also identified ECM expression markers during the process of skin development. Our results systematically revealed the characteristics of ECM synthesis, response to growth factors, water conservation, anti-oxidation, and the ability of the ECM to support epidermal stem cell growth via the basement membrane in young skin, as well as the characteristics of response to wound repair and fungal invasion in aging skin.
Project description:In an RNAseq analysis, we have identified circGLIS3 with high levels acute wound dermis compared to skin. The biological function of circGLIS3 in human dermal fibroblasts during wound repair has not been studied. To study the genes regulated by circGLIS3, we transfected siRNA or plasmid into human dermal fibroblasts to knockdown or overexpress circGLIS3. We performed a global transcriptome analysis of fibroblasts upon circRNA knockdown or overexpression using Affymetrix arrays.