Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) causes premature human skin aging or photoaging. Systematic in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that UV activates MAP kinase signaling pathway and up-regulates MMPs with a result of matrix protein degradation. Based on the revealed molecular targets, a series of skin care products have been since developed. For example, the inhibitors of JNK from natural products have been added to skin care products. In addition to matrix protein reduction, our studies have shown that UV radiation down-regulates water channel aquaporin such as AQP3 in skin cells, with a result of skin dehydration. Retinoic acid and antioxidants such as NAC recover the loss of AQP3 and rehydrate skin cells. This novel discovery together with others has resulted in the emergence of numerous fashionable cosmetics products. Furthermore, our previous experiments have shown that UV radiation incudes down-regulation of SIRT1, a critical regulator in cellular metabolism and survival, and resveratrol activates SIRT1 in skin cells. With this important observation, now a number of cosmetics lines have been established, and grape seed extracts and resveratrol have been integrated into the skin care products. While the cellular and molecular mechanisms of skin aging are still being elucidated, the leading causes of photoaging remain to be the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and the formation of hypoxic environment upon UV radiation. Existing reports have indicated that in situ oxygen supplementation from biomaterials protects against hypoxia-induced cell death. We hypothesize that oxygen supplement may help attenuate UV radiation-induced skin cell damage and may eventually prevent from UV-induced skin aging. We are currently developing hydrolytically activated oxygen-generating biomaterial and testing those materials in cultured human skin cells with or without exposure to UV irradiation. A proof of concept will be provided for further development of a new generation of skin care products and cosmetics facial masks.<br/>

Investigation of mechanisms of photoaging and development of target-based skin care products

256th National Meeting (2018)

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