Glycofullerenes Inhibit Particulate Matter Induced Inflammation and Loss of Barrier Proteins in HaCaT Human Keratinocytes

Abstract

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been linked to pulmonary and cardiovascular dysfunctions, as well as skin diseases, etc. PM impairs the skin barrier functions and is also involved in the initiation or exacerbation of skin inflammation, which is linked to the activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathways. Fullerene is a single C60 molecule which has been reported to act as a good radical scavenger. However, its poor water solubility limits its biological applications. The glyco-modification of fullerenes increases their water solubility and anti-bacterial and anti-virus functions. However, it is still unclear whether it affects their anti-inflammatory function against PM-induced skin diseases. Hence, glycofullerenes were synthesized to investigate their effects on PM-exposed HaCaT human keratinocytes. Our results showed that glycofullerenes could reduce the rate of PM-induced apoptosis and ROS production, as well as decrease the expression of downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt pathways. Moreover, PM-induced increases in inflammatory-related signals, such as cyclooxygenase-2, heme oxygenase-1, and prostaglandin E2, were also suppressed by glycofullerenes. Notably, our results suggested that PM-induced impairment of skin barrier proteins, such as filaggrin, involucrin, repetin, and loricrin, could be reduced by pre-treatment with glycofullerenes. The results of this study indicate that glycofullerenes could be potential candidates for treatments against PM-induced skin diseases and that they exert their protective effects via ROS scavenging, anti-inflammation, and maintenance of the expression of barrier proteins.

Nanoparticle platforms for dermal antiaging technologies: Insights in cellular and molecular mechanisms

“…Eudragit nanoparticles encapsulating eupafolin significantly attenuated PM-induced ERK, p38, and JNK phosphorylation and downregulated the expression of cyclooxygenase, prostaglandins (Figure 3; Lin et al, 2016). Similar effects were seen with fullerene particle which decreased oxygen scavenging pathways (C. W. Lee, Su, et al, 2020).…”

“…Modified C60 called glycofullerene reduced the PM-induced apoptosis in keratinocytes and also prevented oxidative stress. Glycofullerene also maintained barrier properties of keratinocytes indicating their role in developing antipollution platforms (C. W. Lee, Su, et al, 2020).…”

Comprehensive RNA sequencing in primary murine keratinocytes and fibroblasts identifies novel biomarkers and provides potential therapeutic targets for skin-related diseases

“…In this study, we used anti-Krt15 antibodies to measure the purity of keratinocytes. Furthermore, it was previously also reported that loricrin was detected in human keratinocytes by Western blot [ 25 ]. Consistent with previous reports, we also found that the gene is highly expressed in primary mouse keratinocytes.…”

Synthesis and biological application of glyco- and peptide derivatives of fullerene C60

“…A recent study [100] investigated fullerene, according to its good radical scavenger properties, in the treatment of particulate matter (PM) that induces skin diseases and pulmonary and cardiovascular disfunctions. Indeed, PM is involved in skin inflammation and in the activation of ROS.…”