Flavonoids in safflower extract reduce cisplatin-induced damage to human follicle dermal papilla cells by inhibiting DNA damage and Rad17/Chk1/Cdc25C signaling

Background:Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent commonly used clinically for the treatment of various human cancers.Patients often reduce the use of cisplatin due to its side effects,which in turn affects its treatment.This study explored the mechanism of action of safflower extract as an adjuvant traditional Chinese medicine for chemotherapy.Methods:Primary human follicle dermal papilla cells(HFDPCs)were used as target cells for cisplatininduced damage to hair cells.Western blotting was used to investigate the molecular targets of cisplatin and safflower extract in causing HFDPCs damage.Cell survival and cell cycle were analyzed by mitochondrial staining reagent WST-1 and propidium iodide.Results:Cisplatin could reduce the viability of HFDPCs without causing cell death.Cisplatin increased the level of phospho-Rad17 in HFDPCs and activated the Chk1/Cdc25C signaling to reduce the expression of Cdc2 protein,thereby arresting the cells in the G2/M phase.The combination of safflower extract and the flavonoids could effectively inhibit the signal transduction of Rad17/Chk1/Cdc25 in cisplatin-treated cells and reduce the cell population in the G2/M phase.Finally,we also confirmed that safflower extract could effectively inhibit the damage to HFDPCs caused by cisplatin,mainly at the level of reducing the DNA damage caused by cisplatin.Conclusions:Safflower extract can be used as an adjuvant Chinese medicine for chemotherapy to reduce the damage caused by chemotherapy to normal hair follicle cells.

Cloning and bioinformatic analysis of HSPC016 gene in dermal papilla cells

Objective： To clone the full-length cDNA sequence of HSPC016 gene, an aggregative growth related gene in dermal papilla cells （DPC）, and analyze its characteristics and predict its biological function. Methods： Rapid amplification of cDNA ends （RACE） technology was entailed to amplify the 5＇ and 3＇ sequences of HSPC016. The amplified fragments were TA-cloned, sequenced and spliced together to obtain the full-length cDNA. Its chromosome localization, domain and possible function were analyzed by bioinformatic methods. Results.. Two isoforms, 400 bp and 493 bp, were obtained. The gene was mapped on chromosome 3q21. 31, and was conservative on evolution. HSPC016, a 64aa protein, belongs to PD053992 protein family and its functional domain was homologous to T2FA gene. Conclusion： PISPC016 may be related to transcriptional regulation and its protein product may act as a subunit of a transcriptional complex and play a role on DPC growth and differentiation through facilitating or suppressing other genes＇ transcription within the nucleus.

Extracellular vesicles from 3D cultured dermal papilla cells improve wound healing via Krüppel-like factor 4/vascular endothelial growth factor A-driven angiogenesis

Background:Non-healing wounds are an intractable problem of major clinical relevance.Evidence has shown that dermal papilla cells(DPCs)may regulate the wound-healing process by secreting extracellular vesicles(EVs).However,low isolation efficiency and restricted cell viability hinder the applications of DPC-EVs in wound healing.In this study,we aimed to develop novel 3D-DPC spheroids(tdDPCs)based on self-feeder 3D culture and to evaluate the roles of tdDPC-EVs in stimulating angiogenesis and skin wound healing.Methods:To address the current limitations of DPC-EVs,we previously developed a self-feeder 3D culture method to construct tdDPCs.DPCs and tdDPCs were identified using immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry.Subsequently,we extracted EVs from the cells and compared the effects of DPC-EVs and tdDPC-EVs on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)in vitro using immunofluorescence staining,a scratch-wound assay and a Transwell assay.We simultaneously established a murine model of full-thickness skin injury and evaluated the effects of DPC-EVs and tdDPC-EVs on wound-healing efficiency in vivo using laser Doppler,as well as hematoxylin and eosin,Masson,CD31 andα-SMA staining.To elucidate the underlying mechanism,we conducted RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)of tdDPC-EV-and phosphate-buffered saline-treated HUVECs.To validate the RNA-seq data,we constructed knockdown and overexpression vectors of Krüppel-like factor 4(KLF4).Western blotting,a scratch-wound assay,a Transwell assay and a tubule-formation test were performed to detect the protein expression,cell migration and lumen-formation ability of KLF4 and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)in HUVECs incubated with tdDPC-EVs after KLF4 knockdown or overexpression.Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were conducted to verify the activation effect of KLF4 on VEGFA.Results:We successfully cultured tdDPCs and extracted EVs from DPCs and tdDPCs.The tdDPC-EVs significantly promoted the proliferation,lumen formation and migration of HUVECs.Unlike DPC-EVs,tdDPC-EVs exhibited significant advantages in terms of promoting angiogenesis,accelerating wound healing and enhancing wound-healing efficiency both in vitro and in vivo.Bioinformatics analysis and further functional experiments verified that the tdDPC-EV-regulated KLF4/VEGFA axis is pivotal in accelerating wound healing.Conclusions:3D cultivation can be utilized as an innovative optimization strategy to effectively develop DPC-derived EVs for the treatment of skin wounds.tdDPC-EVs significantly enhance wound healing via KLF4/VEGFA-driven angiogenesis.

Screening and analysis of differentially expressed genes of dermal papillae cells with aggregative behavior

Objective: To screen and clone differentially expressed genes of dermal papillae cells (DPC) with aggregative behavior, and to explore the molecular mechanism of their aggregation. Methods: Total RNAs were extracted from DPC with and without aggregative behavior and double strand cDNAs were synthesized by using SMART cDNA synthesis, respectively. The cDNA fragments of differentially expressed genes in DPCs with aggregative behavior were isolated by suppression subtractive hybridization. Positive clones were screened by PCR method and verified by cDNA dot blot, Northern blot and then analyzed through homologous retrieving. Results: A subtractive cDNA library of DPC with aggregative behavior has been successfully constructed. The result of screening and cloning of the library showed that, DPC with aggregative behavior could expresse genes related to homologous aggregation, proliferation and cycle control, including known genes (capping protein, paladin, vascular endothelial growth factor), hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) related clone (HSPC011 and HSPC016) and a new gene. Conclusion: The construction of subtracted library of DPC lays solid foundation for screening and cloning new and specific genes related to aggregative behavior of DPC. Several genes might be cooperatively involved in the homologous aggregation, proliferation and cycle control of DPC. Among these genes, capping protein and palladin might be closely related to the aggregative behavior of dermal papilla cells, and VEGF and HSPC related clone would be responsible for the status of higher proliferation of dermal papilla cells.

JAM-A facilitates hair follicle regeneration in alopecia areata through functioning as ceRNA to protect VCAN expression in dermal papilla cells

The dermal papilla cells in hair follicles function as critical regulators of hair growth.In particular,alopecia areata(AA)is closely related to the malfunctioning of the human dermal papilla cells(hDPCs).Thus,identifying the regulatory mechanism of hDPCs is important in inducing hair follicle(HF)regeneration in AA patients.Recently,growing evidence has indicated that 3 untranslated regions(3 UTR)of key genes may participate in the regulatory circuitry underlying cell differentiation and diseases through a socalled competing endogenous mechanism,but none have been reported in HF regeneration.Here,we demonstrate that the 3 UTR of junctional adhesion molecule A(JAM-A)could act as an essential competing endogenous RNA to maintain hDPCs function and promote HF regeneration in AA.We showed that the 3 UTR of JAM-A shares many microRNA(miRNA)response elements,especially miR-221–3p,with versican(VCAN)mRNA,and JAM-A 3 UTR could directly modulate the miRNA-mediated suppression of VCAN in self-renewing hDPCs.Furthermore,upregulated VCAN can in turn promote the expression level of JAM-A.Overall,we propose that JAM-A 3 UTR forms a feedback loop with VCAN and miR-221–3p to regulate hDPC maintenance,proliferation,and differentiation,which may lead to developing new therapies for hair loss.

Hair growth-promotion effects and antioxidant activity of the banana flower extract HappyAngel^(■):double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Banana flowers contain various bioactive components, including several antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is unclear whether they can reduce and prevent hair loss. This study examines the effect of banana flower extracts on preventing hair loss and strengthening hair roots. The banana flower extract(HappyAngel^(■))was used to treat human hair follicle dermal papilla cells(HFDPCs)and the expression of reactive oxygen species(ROS), dihydrotestosterone(DHT), and hair-related genes(SRD5A1, SRD5A2, AR, and KROX20)were monitored. Fifty subjects were divided into a placebo group and a banana flower group. The experimental group consumed banana flower extract daily for twelve weeks and then underwent hair testing, hair-related genes analysis, collection of hair loss, and questionnaires. The results showed that the banana flower extract significantly increased hair cell growth and decreased the expression of ROS, DHT, and hair follicle growth inhibition-related SRD5A1, SRD5A2, and AR genes, and significantly increased the expression of hair growth-related KROX20 gene in HFDPCs. Consuming banana flower extract for twelve weeks increased the hair root diameter and reduced hair loss and scalp redness compared to the placebo group. Thus, banana flower extract(HappyAngel^(■))can stimulate hair growth and inhibit the activation of hair loss genes.

Polyphenol-Rich Olive Mill Wastewater Extract and Its Potential Use in Hair Care Products

In this work, the influence of phenol-enriched olive mill wastewater (OMWW) extract on hair growth was investigated in vitro on human follicle dermal papilla cells. OMWW has already shown great potential for use in skincare products, and its high polyphenol content is predestined to have a positive effect on hair growth. The studies included caffeine, a positive modulator of hair growth, and dihydrotestosterone, which causes hair loss in vivo, as controls. The impact of the investigated compounds on hair growth was evaluated by studies on cell viability and proliferation, the release of growth factors (insulin-like growth factor-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor), and the reduction of reactive oxygen species formation. OMWW showed a positive influence on the proliferation of the human follicle dermal papilla cells. Moreover, the extract leads to a significantly increased secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1, and a considerable reduction in reactive oxygen species formation was observed. Overall, our results show that the investigated phenol-enriched OMWW extract is a promising ingredient for hair care to improve hair growth, prevent hair loss due to oxidative stress and maintain a healthy scalp.

Pyridoxine regulates hair follicle development via the PI3K/Akt, Wnt and Notch signalling pathways in rex rabbits

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pyridoxine on the development of hair follicles in Rex rabbits and the underlying molecular mechanism.Two hundred 3-month-old Rex rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups and fed diets supplemented with 0,5,10,20,or 40 mg/kg pyridoxine.The hair follicle density on the dorsal skin and the gene and protein expression levels of components of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3 K)/protein kinase B(PKB or Akt),Wnt,Notch and bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)signalling pathways were measured.In addition,free hair follicles were isolated from Rex rabbits and cultured with pyridoxine in vitro to measure hair shaft growth.Furthermore,dermal papilla cells(DPC)were isolated from the skin of Rex rabbits and cultured with pyridoxine in vitro to measure the gene and protein expression levels of components of the PI3 K/Akt,Wnt,Notch and BMP signalling pathways.The results showed that the addition of dietary pyridoxine significantly increased the total follicle density,secondary follicle density,and secondary-to-primary ratio(S/P,P<0.05),that the growth ratio of hair stems was promoted by pyridoxine in basic culture medium,and that the growth length of tentacle hair follicles cultured in the pyridoxine group was longer than that in the control group(P<0.05).In addition,pyridoxine changed the DPC cycle progression and promoted cell proliferation,and appropriate concentrations of pyridoxine(10 and 20μmol/L)significantly inhibited cell apoptosis(P<0.05).Pyridoxine significantly affected the gene expression of components of the PI3 K/Akt,Wnt and Notch signalling pathways in the skin and DPC of Rex rabbits(P<0.05),increased the levels of phosphorylated catenin beta 1(CTNNB1)and Akt,and decreased the level of phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta(GSK-3β)(P<0.05).Therefore,the molecular mechanism by which pyridoxine promotes hair follicle density in Rex rabbits probably occurs through activation of the PI3 K/Akt,Wnt and Notch signalling pathways,prolonging hair follicle growth and delaying the onset of telogen.