Protective effect of skin-derived precursors on photoaging in nude mice

Australas J Dermatol. 2019 Feb;60(1):e20-e28. doi: 10.1111/ajd.12867. Epub 2018 Jun 25.

Abstract

Objectives: Currently, innovative methods to prevent photoaging are needed. Skin-derived precursors (SKP) have been shown to play a crucial role in resisting UVB-induced apoptosis in vitro. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of SKP on preventing skin photoaging in vivo.

Methods: Skin-derived precursors from neonatal BALB/c mice were isolated, identified and intradermally transplanted with a PKH26 label to track their survival. These were then injected at different concentrations into the buttock dermis of nude mice at 2-weekly intervals before UV irradiation. Photographs, assessment of live skin surface, histology with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the impact of SKP on wrinkles and other relevant indicators of skin photoaging.

Results: SKP exhibited a sphere-like structure and could survive for at least 2 weeks after intradermal transplantation. A large dose of SKP transplantation (105 SKP +UV) at 2-weekly intervals were able to ameliorate coarse UV-induced wrinkles. Moreover, the skin smoothness value, dermal thickness and collagen percentage were significantly increased in mice that received a large dose of SKP (105 SKP +UV). UV radiation induced the mRNA expression of MMP-13 and decreased the mRNA and protein expression of TβRII, but these effects were diminished by SKP transplantation. The transplantation of SKP could increase the mRNA of TIMP-1.

Conclusions: We found that transplanted SKP exert a beneficial impact on preventing UV-induced wrinkles in vivo, suggesting that SKP transplantation is a promising candidate for preventing photoaging.

Keywords: local transplantation; nude mice; photoaging; skin-derived precursors.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nestin / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II / genetics
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II / metabolism
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Skin Aging / genetics
  • Skin Aging / pathology*
  • Skin Aging / physiology*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / genetics
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Nes protein, mouse
  • Nestin
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors
  • Sox2 protein, mouse
  • Timp1 protein, mouse
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
  • Tgfbr2 protein, mouse
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13
  • Mmp13 protein, mouse