Low-Temperature Argon Plasma Regulates Skin Moisturizing and Melanogenesis-Regulating Markers through Yes-Associated Protein

Abstract

Extensive water loss and melanin hyperproduction can cause various skin disorders. Low-temperature argon plasma (LTAP) has shown the possibility of being used for the treatment of various skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and skin cancer. However, the role of LTAP in regulating skin moisturizing and melanogenesis has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of LTAP on yes-associated protein (YAP), a major transcriptional coactivator in the Hippo signaling pathway that is involved in skin moisturizing and melanogenesis-regulating markers. In normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), the human epidermal keratinocyte line HaCaT, and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), we found that LTAP exhibited increased expression levels of YAP protein. In addition, the expression levels of filaggrin (FLG), which is involved in natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), and hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS), transglutaminase (TGM), and involucrin (IVL), which regulate skin barrier and moisturizing, were also increased after exposure to LTAP. Furthermore, collagen type I alpha 1 and type III alpha 1 (COL1A1, COL3A1) were increased after LTAP exposure, but the expression level of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) was reduced. Moreover, LTAP was found to suppress alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanogenesis in murine melanoma B16F10 cells and normal human melanocytes (NHEMs). LTAP regulates melanogenesis of the melanocytes through decreased YAP pathway activation in a melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R)-dependent manner. Taken together, our data show that LTAP regulates skin moisturizing and melanogenesis through modulation of the YAP pathway, and the effect of LTAP on the expression level of YAP varies from cell to cell. Thus, LTAP might be developed as a treatment method to improve the skin barrier, moisture content, and wrinkle formation, and to reduce melanin generation.

Skin Wound Healing and Anti-Wrinkle-Promoting In Vitro Biological Activities of Caragana sinica Flower Absolute and Its Chemical Composition

“…HA is a key contributor to skin moisture retention and thus reduces skin wrinkling [ 20 ]. Keratinocytes were used to analyze HA synthesis related to skin moisturizing ability [ 46 ]. To determine if CSFAb affects HA levels, we examined the effect of CSFAb on HA synthesis in HaCaT cells.…”

“…HA can bind water molecules, which is important for retaining moisture and maintaining skin elasticity [ 20 ]. It has been reported that low HA levels in skin are associated with water loss and wrinkle formation [ 46 ], and that topical application of HA reduced the wrinkling of aged skin [ 47 ]. HAS synthesizes HA and has three isoforms, viz., HAS-1, -2, and -3, in mammals [ 20 ].…”

Antioxidant Capacity of Potentilla paradoxa Nutt. and Its Beneficial Effects Related to Anti-Aging in HaCaT and B16F10 Cells

“…It has been reported that the HA content of the skin decreases gradually as skin aging progresses [ 12 ]. A decline in HA in the skin leads to dehydration, which can cause wrinkles and abnormal skin barrier function [ 52 ]. As shown in Figure 3 , Pp-EE increased the mRNA expression of HAS , which synthesizes HA, and suppressed the mRNA expression of Hyal , which degrades HA.…”

Aspergillus oryzae-Fermented Wheat Peptone Enhances the Potential of Proliferation and Hydration of Human Keratinocytes through Activation of p44/42 MAPK

“…Skin is the primary defense organ against a harmful external environment. In addition, skin functions as a sensory receptor and regulator of body temperature and moisture content [ 1 , 2 ]. These additional functions of skin contribute to skin homeostasis.…”