Stimulation of the Extracellular Matrix Production in Dermal Fibroblasts by Velvet Antler Extract

Abstract

Background:Fibroblasts produce many components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and so they contribute to the maintenance of connective tissue integrity. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of velvet antler extract (VAE) on the ECM production of dermal fibroblasts cultured in vitro. Methods: Primary cultured human dermal fibroblasts were treated with VAE, and then the ECM production was determined by RT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the change of gene expression according to VAE treatment was evaluated by cDNA microarray. Results: VAE accelerated the growth of fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. VAE increased the production of several ECM components, including type 1 collagen, fibronectin and elastin. In line with these results, the phosphorylations of p42/44 ERK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase were markedly increased by VAE, suggesting that the enhancement of ECM production may be linked to the activation of intracellular signaling cascades. VAE also significantly increased cell migration on an in vitro scratch wound test. In cDNA microarray, many genes related with connective tissue integrity were identified to be up-regulated by VAE. Conclusion: These results suggest that VAE has a potential to stimulate ECM production, and VAE may be applicable for maintaining the skin's texture.

Potential Beneficial Effects of Digitaria ciliaris Flower Absolute on the Wound Healing-Linked Activities of Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes

“…However, the precise interaction between these events and MAPKs in CCD986sk fibroblasts in response to DCF absolutes will need to be clarified in future studies. In addition, collagen synthesis by skin fibroblasts is known to be related to the TGF-β-mediated signaling pathway that can mediate the activation of MAPKs [39][40][41]. It has been demonstrated that type I and IV collagens may be produced by Erk1/2 or/and p38 MAPK activation in fibroblasts exposed to various molecules, including TGF-β1 [35,39,[41][42][43].…”

A Potato Peel Extract Stimulates Type I Collagen Synthesis <i>via</i> Akt and ERK Signaling in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts

“…26) On the other hand, the TGF-β-mediated activation of ERK signaling promoted collagen synthesis in human mesangial cells and human osteoblasts. 28,29) It has also been reported that a velvet antler extract, which is known to activate ERK, promotes type I collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts. 30) In our study, treatment with the PPE increased expression levels of TβRII mRNA (Fig.…”

An activity-maintaining sequential protein extraction method for bioactive assay and proteome analysis of velvet antlers

“…In previous reports on proteome analysis of cartilage [10] and bone [11], the sequential protein extraction method improved significantly the number of identified proteins, suggesting that more proteins might be extracted if multiple complementary extraction buffers were sequentially used. In addition, many studies have demonstrated that the extracts of velvet antlers possessed widely biological activities [12][13][14]. For the simultaneous assessment of the bioactivities of extracted proteins, the biocompatible extraction buffers should be selected to prevent extracted proteins from denaturation.…”