Autophagy induction regulates aquaporin 3-mediated skin fibroblasts aging

miR-1246-overexpressing exosomes improve UVB-induced photoaging by activating autophagy via suppressing GSK3β

Stem cell paracrine has shown potential application in skin wound repair and photoaging treatment. Our previous study demonstrated that miR-1246-overexpressing Exosomes (OE-EXs) isolated from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) showed superior photo-protecting effects on UVB-induced photoaging than that of the vector, however, the underlying mechanism was unclear. The simultaneous bioinformatics analysis indicated that miR-1246 showed potential binding sites with GSK3β which acted as a negative regulator for autophagy. This study was aimed to explore whether OE-EXs ameliorate skin photoaging by activating autophagy via targeting GSK3β. The results demonstrated that OE-EXs significantly decreased GSK3β expression, enhanced autophagy flux and autophagy-related proteins like LC3II, while suppressed p62 expression. Meanwhile, OE-EXs markedly reversed the levels of intracellular ROS, MMP-1, procollagen type I and DNA damage in human skin fibroblasts caused by UVB irradiation, but the ameliorating effects were significantly inhibited when 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) was introduced to block the autophagy pathway. Further, OE-EXs could reverse UVB-induced wrinkles, epidermal hyperplasia, and collagen fibers reduction in Kunming mice, nevertheless, the therapeutical effects of OE-EXs were attenuated when it was combinative treated with 3-MA. In conclusion, OE-EXs could cure UVB induced skin photoaging by activating autophagy via targeting GSK3β.

Topically Applied Magnetized Saline Water Activates Autophagy in the Scalp and Increases Hair Count and Hair Mass Index in Men With Mild-to-Moderate Androgenetic Alopecia

Introduction Water is essential for life and is vital for almost all functions of the human body. Recent studies have shown that treating water with magnets can alter its physicochemical properties, including intracluster bonds and water-ion interactions. Magnetized water also undergoes modifications in its physicochemical characteristics, such as pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. While there is a significant amount of literature on the use of magnetized water in agricultural settings, research on its potential biomedical applications is still limited. Based on previous findings indicating a potential relationship between autophagy activation and hair loss reversal, a pilot study was designed to explore the effects of topically applied magnetized saline water in patients with androgenetic alopecia. The hypothesis was that the process of water magnetization, which promotes the creation of hydroxyl ions, could potentially induce hair growth through the induction of alkali-induced autophagy in the scalp. Methods We recruited 20 Caucasian men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia (Norwood-Hamilton stages II-III). Initially, we conducted a 12-week open-label study to evaluate the potential of a topical lotion containing 95% magnetized saline water (2 mL applied once daily) to increase hair count and hair mass index (HMI). Subsequently, we investigated the effect of the lotion on two autophagy markers (Beclin-1 and LC3B) in scalp biopsies from a subgroup of 10 men. Results Hair count significantly increased after 12 weeks of topical treatment with magnetized saline water (from 20.6 ± 9.8 at baseline to 32.5 ± 12.4 at 12 weeks, P < 0.001). Similarly, the mean HMI increased from 37.8 ± 11.4 at baseline to 45.1 ± 13.6 at 12 weeks (P < 0.01). At the molecular level, the topical lotion effectively increased Beclin-1 levels in scalp biopsies by 44% at 12 weeks as compared to the baseline. Similarly, LC3B levels increased by 36% from baseline to 12 weeks, indicating that the lotion effectively activated autophagy in the scalp. Conclusions After 12 weeks of topical treatment, a lotion containing magnetized saline water activated scalp autophagy and significantly increased hair count and HMI in men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia.

Topically Applied Magnetized Saline Water Improves Skin Biophysical Parameters Through Autophagy Activation: A Pilot Study

Background Water exposed to a magnetic field exhibits several changes in its properties, such as increased electrical conductivity, reduced density, and low surface tension. Additionally, it has reduced dissolved oxygen levels and becomes more alkaline. Previous experimental studies have demonstrated that exposure to saline alkaline water leads to a dose-dependent increase in the expression of autophagy-related genes. Here, we hypothesize that the topical application of magnetized alkaline water to the skin can activate autophagy and improve cutaneous biophysical parameters, making it a promising strategy for enhancing skin aesthetics. Methods Two distinct substudies were undertaken. Firstly, a 12-week, uncontrolled, open-label investigation was conducted with 20 females who desired to enhance the appearance of their facial and neck skin. Secondly, a molecular study was carried out on a subset of 10 females to investigate the serum's impact on two autophagy markers (Beclin-1 and mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin {mTOR}) in skin biopsies taken from the posterior neck area below the hair attachment line. Results After a period of 12 weeks, the application of the serum resulted in significant improvements in skin hydration within the stratum corneum (56 ± 14 arbitrary units {a.u.}) compared to the baseline measurement (47 ± 12 a.u.; p < 0.001). Moreover, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) decreased from 14 ± 2 g/m2/hour to 11 ± 3 g/m2/hour (p < 0.001). The results also revealed a notable reduction in sebum content from 38 ± 7 µg/cm2 to 30 ± 4 µg/cm2 after the 12-week period of serum application (<0.001). Additionally, the melanin index (p < 0.01) and erythema index (p < 0.001) were both significantly lower at 12 weeks compared to baseline. The molecular study showed a 38% increase in Beclin-1 levels after 12 weeks of serum application on the posterior neck area, as measured from skin biopsies. In contrast, mTOR levels decreased by 24% from baseline to 12 weeks. Conclusion The application of magnetized saline water topically, within a serum formulation, shows potential in improving skin biophysical parameters for females seeking to enhance the appearance of their facial and neck skin. These beneficial effects are achieved through the activation of cutaneous autophagy, as evidenced by an increase in Beclin-1 expression and a decrease in mTOR content in the skin.

Ferroptosis, autophagy, tumor and immunity

Ferroptosis was first proposed in 2012, a new form of cell death. Autophagy plays a crucial role in cell clearance and maintaining homeostasis. Autophagy is involved in the initial step of ferroptosis under the action of histone elements such as NCOA4, RAB7A, and BECN1. Ferroptosis and autophagy are involved in tumor progression, treatment, and drug resistance in the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we described the mechanisms of ferroptosis, autophagy, and tumor and immunotherapy, respectively, and emphasized the relationship between autophagy-related ferroptosis and tumor.

GBP5 exacerbates rosacea-like skin inflammation by skewing macrophage polarization towards M1 phenotype through the NF-κB signalling pathway

BACKGROUND

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with increased macrophage infiltration. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the significance of macrophage infiltration, and the correlation between Guanylate-binding protein 5 (GBP5) and polarization of macrophages in rosacea-like inflammation.

METHODS

Here we tested the hypothesis that Guanylate-binding protein 5 (GBP5) aggravates rosacea-like skin inflammation by promoting the polarization of the M1 macrophages through the NF-κB signalling pathway. We depleted macrophage by injecting clodronate-containing liposomes. We next explored the association between GBP5 and macrophage in rosacea tissue through transcriptome analysis and immunofluorescence analysis. We evaluated the severity of rosacea-like skin inflammation when BALB/c mice were injected with GBP5 siRNA intradermally daily for three consecutive days. At last, to study the causality of knocking down GBP5-blunted M1 macrophage polarization, THP-1 cell was treated with GBP5 siRNA.

RESULTS

Macrophage depletion ameliorated rosacea-like skin inflammation in mice, implying the important role of macrophages in rosacea. Based on the transcriptome analysis, Guanylate-binding protein 5 (GBP5) was identified as hub gene that was associated with macrophage infiltration in rosacea. Next, we found that GBP5 expression was significantly upregulated in rosacea tissues and positively correlated with macrophage infiltration, the immunofluorescence analysis revealed the co-localization between GBP5 and macrophages. In vivo, silencing of GBP5 attenuated rosacea-like skin inflammation in the LL-37-induced mouse model and suppressed the expression of M1 signature genes such as IL-6, iNOS and TNF-a. In vitro, knocking down GBP5 significantly blunted the polarization of the M1 macrophages partly by repressing the activation of the NF-κB signalling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, our study revealed the important role of macrophages in rosacea and identified GBP5 as a key regulator of rosacea by inducing M1 macrophage polarization via NF-κB signalling pathways.

LncRNA PVT1 delays skin photoaging by sequestering miR-551b-3p to release AQP3 expression via ceRNA mechanism

Understanding human skin photoaging requires in-depth knowledge of the molecular and functional mechanisms. Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) gradually lose their ability to produce collagen and renew intercellular matrix with aging. Therefore, our study aims to reveal the mechanistic actions of a novel ceRNA network in the skin photoaging by regulating HDF activities. Photoaging-related genes were obtained in silico, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Differentially expressed lncRNAs and miRNAs were screened from the GEO database to construct the ceRNA co-expression network. In skin photoaging samples, PVT1 and AQP3 were poorly expressed, while miR-551b-3p was highly expressed. The relationships among the lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA were explored through the ENCORI database and dual luciferase reporter assay. Mechanistically, PVT1 could sequester miR-551b-3p to upregulate the expression of AQP3, which further inactivated the ERK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway. HDFs were selected to construct an in vitro cell skin photoaging model, where the senescence, cell cycle distribution and viability of young and senescent HDFs were detected by SA-β-gal staining, flow cytometry and CCK-8 assay. In vitro cell experiments confirmed that overexpression of PVT1 or AQP3 enhanced viability of young and senescent HDFs and inhibited HDF senescence, while miR-551b-3p upregulation counteracted the effect of PVT1. In conclusion, PVT1-driven suppression of miR-551b-3p induces AQP3 expression to inactivate the ERK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting HDF senescence and ultimately delaying the skin photoaging.

Photosensitization of human skin fibroblasts by vemurafenib promotes pleiotropic effects on membrane-enclosed organelles and apoptosis

Vemurafenib (VB), a BRAF inhibitor and a first-line treatment for unresectable or metastatic melanoma, is strongly phototoxic towards normal skin cells. Herein, we show that in cultured HS 68 human diploid dermal fibroblasts, low concentrations of VB suffice to promote photosensitization to low doses of UVA (∼ 5 J/cm²), as evidenced by a significant decrease in cell viability. In contrast to data obtained in chemico our results support a role for ROS (reactive oxygen species). Indeed, peroxidation of cellular lipids was observed which could be alleviated by the lipophilic antioxidant BHT (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol). Using in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy and vital fluorescent probes it was shown at the single cell level that the plasma membrane and lipid-rich organelles, namely mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes, as well as actin filaments, were severely damaged by the UVA-induced VB-photosensitization. Finally, we showed that mitochondrial impairment was concurrent with caspase 3/7 activation and cell death by apoptosis.

Autophagy plays an essential role in ultraviolet radiation-driven skin photoaging

Photoaging is characterized by a chronic inflammatory response to UV light. One of the most prominent features of cutaneous photoaging is wrinkling, which is due primarily to a loss of collagen fibers and deposits of abnormal degenerative elastotic material within the dermis (actinic elastosis). These changes are thought to be mediated by inflammation, with subsequent upregulation of extracellular matrix-degrading proteases and down-regulation of collagen synthesis. Autophagy is a vital homeostatic cellular process of either clearing surplus or damaged cell components notably lipids and proteins or recycling the content of the cells’ cytoplasm to promote cell survival and adaptive responses during starvation and other oxidative and/or genotoxic stress conditions. Autophagy may also become a means of supplying nutrients to maintain a high cellular proliferation rate when needed. It has been suggested that loss of autophagy leads to both photodamage and the initiation of photoaging in UV exposed skin. Moreover, UV radiation of sunlight is capable of regulating a number of autophagy-linked genes. This review will focus on the protective effect of autophagy in the skin cells damaged by UV radiation. We hope to draw attention to the significance of autophagy regulation in the prevention and treatment of skin photoaging.

Identification of Four Biomarkers of Human Skin Aging by Comprehensive Single Cell Transcriptome, Transcriptome, and Proteomics

Background: Aging is characterized by the gradual loss of physiological integrity, resulting in impaired function and easier death. This deterioration is a major risk factor for major human pathological diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases. It is very important to find biomarkers that can prevent aging.

Methods: Q-Exactive-MS was used for proteomic detection of young and senescence fibroblast. The key senescence-related molecules (SRMs) were identified by integrating transcriptome and proteomics from aging tissue/cells, and the correlation between these differentially expressed genes and well-known aging-related pathways. Next, we validated the expression of these molecules using qPCR, and explored the correlation between them and immune infiltrating cells. Finally, the enriched pathways of the genes significantly related to the four differential genes were identified using the single cell transcriptome.

Results: we first combined proteomics and transcriptome to identified four SRMs. Data sets including GSE63577, GSE64553, GSE18876, GSE85358, and qPCR confirmed that ETF1, PLBD2, ASAH1, and MOXD1 were identified as SRMs. Then the correlation between SRMs and aging-related pathways was excavated and verified. Next, we verified the expression of SRMs at the tissue level and qPCR, and explored the correlation between them and immune infiltrating cells. Finally, at the single-cell transcriptome level, we verified their expression and explored the possible pathway by which they lead to aging. Briefly, ETF1 may affect the changes of inflammatory factors such as IL-17, IL-6, and NFKB1 by indirectly regulating the enrichment and differentiation of immune cells. MOXD1 may regulate senescence by affecting the WNT pathway and changing the cell cycle. ASAH1 may affect development and regulate the phenotype of aging by affecting cell cycle-related genes.

Conclusion: In general, based on the analysis of proteomics and transcriptome, we identified four SRMs that may affect aging and speculated their possible mechanisms, which provides a new target for preventing aging, especially skin aging.