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Effect of microalgal extracts on thioredoxin expression in human skin cells and their protection of skin
Author(s) -
Morvan PY.,
Vallee R.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of cosmetic science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.532
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1468-2494
pISSN - 0142-5463
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2007.00403_3.x
Subject(s) - thioredoxin , human skin , western blot , thioredoxin reductase , epidermis (zoology) , cell damage , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , cell , cytotoxicity , oxidative stress , biology , biochemistry , in vitro , gene , anatomy , genetics
Skin is the constant target of active forms of oxygen generated by UV radiation exposure. It needs to reinforce anti‐oxidant defense mechanisms to protect itself against cell damage. Thioredoxin is a protein found extensively in animals, plants and marine bacteria. It protects cells against the cytotoxicity produced by free radicals. An increase in thioredoxin production could be thus an interesting way to improve skin cell protection. We studied thioredoxin expression in human skin cells by minichips, and the results were confirmed by RT‐PCR. Protein expression was quantified by Western blot. Thioredoxin mRNA is expressed by human dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes. The thioredoxin protein was detected in both types of human skin cells and visualized in human reconstituted epidermis. Some stress‐resistant micro‐algae also express protective proteins. We tested the effect of two micro‐algal extracts on the level of thioredoxin expression in human skin cells and on the protection against free radicals by measuring the inhibition of superoxide anion, on the protection against polluting agents by measuring cellular vitality and on the protection of Langerhans cells against UV exposure. By stimulating the thioredoxin level, the micro‐algal extracts protect skin cells against several types of free radical generating systems.