Effects of cyclosporin and ultraviolet radiation on growth and ornithine decarboxylase activity in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes

Both cyclosporin (CyA) and ultraviolet radiation are effective in the treatment of psoriasis, but their precise mechanisms of action are uncertain. We investigated their effects on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, ODC gene expression, and cellular proliferation stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF), in cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes. CyA (5 μg/ml) inhibited ODC activity, ODC mRNA level, and cell growth induced by 50ng/ml EGF. Ultraviolet B (10 mJ/cm²) irradiation suppressed the induction of ODC, ODC mRNA, and cell proliferation stimulated by EGF, but ultraviolet A (0-15 J/cm²) irradiation inhibited neither EGF-stimulated ODC activity nor cell proliferation. These findings indicate that reduction of ODC activity in CyA- or ultraviolet B-treated human keratinocytes may contribute to the antiproliferative mechanism of these agents. These results also suggest that the regulation of ODC activity by ultraviolet B and A irradiation may be mediated by different signal transduction pathways.     

Human adult epidermal melanocytes cultured without chemical mitogens express the EGF receptor and respond to EGF

We describe a novel chemical mitogen-free in vitro culture technique for obtaining pure melanocyte cultures using normal human adult epidermis as a source. The culture medium consists equal parts of the commercially available Keratinocyte Basal and AIM-V media (both from Gibco), as basal medium, which is supplemented with fetal bovine serum, bovine pituitary extract and recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF). Melanocytes harvested from human adult skin proliferate extensively and can be passaged serially up to 10–15 times using this medium. We have verified the identity of the cultured cells by tyrosinase mRNA expression and TRP-1 protein staining. Moreover, we showed that autologous human serum alone, without additional supplements is able to provide sufficient growth support for the cultured cells in the basal medium, making this culture technique suitable for autologous melanocyte transplantation. In this culture system normal human adult melanocytes expressed both EGF receptor (EGFR) mRNA and protein and EGF showed a dose dependent mitogenic effect on the cells. EGF itself had no significant influence on EGFR mRNA expression. Gábor Szabad and Bernadett Kormos contributed equally to this work.     

Photoprotective effect of calcipotriol upon skin photoreaction to UVA and UVB

It has been shown that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ has a photoprotective effect against UVB injury in mouse skin and cultured rat keratinocytes by induction of metallothionein (MT). Calcipotriol is a synthetic analogue of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ with equipotent cell regulating properties, but with a lower risk of calcium-related side effects. The aim of the present study was to see whether calcipotriol has a photoprotective property both in vitro and in vivo. We examined the effect of calcipotriol on UV-induced damage of cultured human keratinocytes through a cell viability assay, and measurement of DNA synthesis by cultured keratinocytes, on UV-induced damage of mouse skin and on minimal erythema dose (MED). We found that calcipotriol was protective against UVB-induced reduction in DNA synthetic activity of cultured keratinocytes in relatively low doses (20 and 40 mJ/cm²) of UVB. With phototesting following application of calcipotriol, five subjects among 10 healthy volunteers and three among six psoriasis patients showed an increase in MED compared with the vehicle-treated site. These findings imply that calcipotriol may be photoprotective and that more extensive studies with various doses of UV irradiation and modes of calcipotriol delivery are required.     

Ultraviolet B irradiation increases keratin 5 and keratin 14 expression through epidermal growth factor receptor of SV40-transformed human keratinocytes

Keratin intermediate filaments are heteropolymers composed of type I and type II keratins. Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation induces keratin expression by keratinocytes. Using SV40-transformed human keratinocytes (SVHK), we investigated the effect of UVB irradiation on keratin expression. UVB irradiation (10 mJ/cm(2)) increased keratin 5 and keratin 14 mRNAs and proteins without affecting cell viability. Upregulation of keratin 5 and keratin 14 was dependent on the dose of radiation: the effect was observed at 5 mJ/cm(2) and the maximal effect was observed at 10 mJ/cm(2). Higher UVB doses (more than 10 mJ/cm(2)) were cytotoxic. Expression of keratin 1 and keratin 10 was marginal in SVHK and was not affected at either the mRNA or protein level by UVB. The stimulatory effects on keratin 5 and keratin 14 expression were also observed in cultured normal human keratinocytes (NHK) and HaCaT keratinocytes. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor inhibitor, AG1429, significantly suppressed the increase in expression of keratin 5 and keratin 14 by SVHK. In contrast, the suppressive effect was not observed with the protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7. Furthermore, pretreatment with neutralizing anti-EGF receptor antibody also suppressed UVB-induced keratin 5 and keratin 14 expression by SVHK, NHK and HaCaT cells. UVB irradiation did not affect the steady-state expression of TGF-alpha by SVHK. Immunoprecipitation and immunohistochemical studies revealed that UVB irradiation induced EGF receptor activation in the absence of EGF and TGF-alpha. These results indicate that UVB increases keratin 5 and keratin 14 expression through direct activation of the EGF receptor in SVHK.     

Regulation of ornithine decarboxylase gene expression, polyamine levels, and DNA synthetic rates by all-trans-retinoic acid in cultured human keratinocytes.

Regulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene expression and cell growth by all-trans-retinoic acid in the presence and absence of exogenous putrescine were examined in normal keratinocyte cultures maintained in serum-free medium containing 0.15 mM Ca++. Putrescine and the higher polyamines are negative feedback regulators of ODC synthesis and are essential for cell growth. Human keratinocytes were incubated with and without 1 microM putrescine and the effects of 5 x 10(-7) M retinoic acid on ODC mRNA levels, ODC activity, polyamine levels, and DNA synthetic rates were determined. Northern blot analysis of total RNA isolated from breast reduction keratinocytes treated with retinoic acid up to 24 h showed a time-dependent suppression of ODC mRNA levels that was unaffected by putrescine. ODC activity was suppressed more rapidly in keratinocytes grown in the absence of putrescine; however, at 24 h, ODC activity was suppressed to an equal extent under both culture conditions. The effect of retinoic acid on polyamine levels was determined in the absence of exogenous putrescine. Retinoic acid treatment markedly suppressed putrescine and N1-acetylspermidine levels, whereas spermidine and spermine levels were relatively unaffected. The effect of retinoic acid on DNA synthetic rates, as measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation, was variable. Retinoic acid either stimulated or had little effect on keratinocyte DNA synthetic rates in cells derived from breast reductions and cultured in the absence of putrescine; these effects were not opposed by the presence of exogenous putrescine. In contrast, DNA synthesis in keratinocytes derived from neonatal foreskins was consistently suppressed by retinoic acid, independent of the polyamine status. Our data, therefore, suggest that the effect of retinoic acid on cell growth, as indicated by DNA synthetic rates, does not necessarily parallel its effect on ODC activity and mRNA levels.     

EGF Receptor expression and growth of psoriatic and normal human keratinocytes are modulated by 1.25 (OH)2-vitamin D3 ex vivo

Calcitriol or 1,25 (OH)₂-vitamin D₃ is used in the treatment of psoriasis as an inhibitor of cell proliferation. We studied the action of calcitriol ex vivo on the growth of psoriatic and normal human keratinocytes, and on the expression of the EGF receptor. Third passaged normal and psoriatic keratinocytes were seeded (10⁴/cm²) in 24-well dishes in serum-free medium (MCDB supplemented with amino acids, with either 0.1 or 1.1 mM of calcium) and 10⁻⁹ M calcitriol. When subconfluence was reached, cell counts and¹²⁵I-EGF binding studies were performed. Cell counts showed at least a 50% decrease in growth under all conditions studied (normal or psoriatic keratinocytes; 0.1 or 1.1 mM calcium) when calcitriol was added.¹²⁵I-EGF binding studies showed a decrease in total receptor numbers in the presence of calcitriol with acceleration of binding at low concentrations of¹²⁵I-EGF. Scatchard plot analysis showed only one type of high affinity receptor. Receptor sites were decreased (30% to 40% of controls) in the presence of calcitriol together with a decrease in the dissociation constant. In conclusion, at almost physiological concentrations ex vivo, calcitriol strongly decreased normal and psoriatic keratinocyte growth. This potent antiproliferative effect could in part be explained by the capacity of calcitriol to downregulate EGF receptor expression. Supported by grants of the Conseil Régional de la Région Aquitaine, and of the Université de Bordeaux II, to AT     

紫外线诱导角质形成细胞凋亡和表没食子儿茶酚没食子酸酯保护机理的探讨

目的探讨不同剂量的中波紫外线(UVB)辐射对体外培养的人角质形成细胞(HaCaT细胞株)凋亡和死亡的影响,探讨表没食子儿茶酚没食子酸酯(EGCG)对此影响的保护作用,以及与凋亡相关的bcl-2和Fas基因之间的关系。方法流式细胞仪检测不同剂量UVB辐照及EGCG处理后角质形成细胞凋亡和死亡数量以及bcl-2蛋白水平的变化,RT-PCR检测FasmRNA的表达水平。结果UVB辐照组凋亡细胞数和死亡细胞数显著高于对照组(P<0.01),bcl-2和FasmRNA量与对照组差异也有显著性(P<0.01)。UVB辐照126mJ/cm2组凋亡细胞数低于辐照42mJ/cm2组(t=2.39,P<0.05),但死亡细胞比例显著增加(t=4.82,P<0.01),两组bcl-2和FasmRNA表达量差异均无显著性(t=1.30,P>0.25;t=0.32,P>0.25)。UVB辐照42mJ/cm2立即加入EGCG组较辐照42mJ/cm2未加EGCG组凋亡和死亡细胞数降低(t=7.64,P<0.01;t=3.49,P<0.05),bcl-2增加(t=3.62,P<0.05),FasmRNA表达量减少(t=6.83,P<0.01)。结论小剂量UVB辐照可以诱导体外培养的角质形成细胞凋亡,大剂量UVB辐照则导致细胞死亡,EGCG通过与凋亡相关的bcl-2和Fas减少紫外线诱导的角质形成细胞凋亡。     

Ultraviolet B-exposed major histocompatibility complex class II positive keratinocytes and antigen-presenting cells demonstrate a differential capacity to activate T cells in the presence of staphylococcal superantigens

Summary In this study we tested the capacity of ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II⁺ keratinocytes, monocytes and dendritic cells to activate T cells in the presences of Staphylococcus enterotoxin B. We demonstrated that UVB irradiation of MHC class II⁺ keratinocytes does not change their capacity to activate T cells in the presence of Staphylococcus enterotoxin B. In contrast. UVB irradiation of antigen T cells after UVB irradiation was not due to factors relased form UVB-irradiated cells. The interferon-γ induced uupregulation of HLA-DR and intercellular adhesion molecule-l on accessory cell function of interferon-γ pretreated monocytes. Differential requirements for and UVB regulation of costimulatory molecules may be involved. Since blocking of the B7/CD28 pathway affects the capacity of dendritic cells but not keratinocytes to activate T cells in the presence of Staphylococcus enterotoxin B. Thus. MHC class II⁺ keratinocytes in the presence of superantigens released from staphylococci may activate T cells and maintain inflammation despite UVB treatment.     

Synergistic effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I/somatomedin C (IGF-I) on keratinocyte proliferation may be mediated by IGF-I transmodulation of the EGF receptor.

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor pathway is an important mediator of keratinocyte growth in vitro and both receptor and ligand components of this pathway are abnormally expressed in hyperproliferative epidermis. The purpose of this study was to examine interactions between the EGF receptor pathway and the insulin-like growth factor I/somatomedin C (IGF-I) receptor pathway in modulating the growth of cultured normal human keratinocytes. Short-term growth of keratinocytes in a chemically defined medium demonstrated that neither EGF nor IGF-I alone could support significant keratinocyte spreading or proliferation, but that a combination of EGF with IGF-I or high-dose insulin could. IGF-I or high-dose insulin transmodulates keratinocyte EGF receptor expression via the IGF-I receptor in a dose- and time-dependent manner, increasing EGF receptor binding an average of 1.8 times up to a maximum of fourfold without altering EGF binding affinity. Staining of normal human epidermis with an IGF-I receptor specific monoclonal antibody demonstrates that IGF-I receptors localize to the basal proliferative cell compartment, suggesting that IGF-I receptor and EGF receptor pathway interactions may play a role in the regulation of epidermal growth and in the pathogenesis of hyperproliferative skin diseases.     

Intracellular calcium as a second messenger following growth stimulation of human keratinocytes

Summary The mitogenic effect of the neuropeptide substance P and bombesin was investigated in normal human keratinocytes in serum-free culture, both with and without the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). Although both neuropeptides induced a small Increase in cell numbers in the presence of EGF. the response was much greater in its absence, and cell numbers Increased to 200% of controls at 5 days. Changes in intracellular free calcium are frequently seen following mitogenic stimulation of cells, and this phenomenon was studied in individual keratinocytes. Epidermal growth factor (10 ng/ml) induced calcium transients in 57% (n = 21) of cells. The mean Intracellular free calcium was 97 ± 11 nM (mean ± SEM) in quiescent cells, and the calcium transients reached approximately 250 nM for 3–4 min. In the presence of EGF. calcium transients were never observed with the addition of either substance P or bombesin. For EGF-deprived cultures. 20% of keratinocytes (n = 10) showed a large calcium transient following the addition of 500 nM bombesin, and ft 63% (n = 12) of cells gave calcium transients following the addition of 700 nM of substance P. Studies in calcium-free medium, and following depletion of intracellular calcium stores with thapsigargin. showed that all of the calcium transients were dependent on the presence of intracellular stores, but also partially mediated by an influx of extracellular calcium. These studies demonstrate the mitogenic effect of substance P and bombesin on human keratinocytes in the absence of EGF. The ability of the neuropeptides to increase keratinocyte growth In culture suggests a possible role in wound healing.     

Expression of microfibril-associated glycoprotein-1 (MAGP-1) in human epidermal keratinocytes

Abstract Microfibril-associated glycoprotein (MAGP) is a major structural component of connective tissue microfibrils. We studied the expression of MAGP-1 in cultured human keratinocytes and its modulation during Ca⁺⁺-induced differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot assays demonstrated the presence of mRNA and the polypeptide of MAGP-1 in cultured keratinocytes. MAGP-1 mRNA levels in cultured keratinocytes during Ca⁺⁺-induced differentiation were enhanced eightfold with a concomitant increase in involucrin (a marker of terminal differentiation) mRNA levels. Double immunofluorescence labeling of cultured keratinocytes demonstrated that both anti-MAGP-1 and anti-involucrin antibodies reacted with the identical cells. The population of MAGP-1-producing cells in cultured keratinocytes significantly increased during Ca⁺⁺-induced differentiation. These results indicate that MAGP-1 expressed by cultured keratinocytes reaches maximum levels at the stage of terminal differentiation in vitro. Double immunostaining of normal human skin with anti-MAGP-1 and anti-elastin antibodies demonstrated the colocalization of MAGP-1-positive and elastin-positive fibers in the superficial and mid-dermis. MAGP-1 produced by keratinocytes may play some functional role in the formation of dermal matrix organization in the dermis. Received: 22 July 1999 / Received after revision: 20 September 1999 / Accepted: 14 October 1999     

Opposing effects of ultraviolet B irradiation on interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and interleukin-1α messenger RNA expression in a human epidermoid carcinoma cell line

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) is a cytokine that acts to antagonize IL-1 activity without agonist function. The expression of IL-1RA has been reported in many cell types, including the keratinocyte that covers the outer most part of the skin. However the modulation of IL-1RA by ultraviolet B (UVB), which is the most biologically active UV, has not been reported yet. We therefore selected a keratinocyte cell line with a cytokine-producing profile similar to that of keratinocytes and tested the effect of UVB on its ability to produce IL-1RA mRNA. IL-1RA mRNA was constitutively expressed in the cell line and began to be suppressed by 3 h after the UVB irradiation with 100 mJ/cm². The level of IL-1RA expression became lowest by 16 h after the irradiation with 100 mJ/cm². Simultaneously, IL-1α mRNA started to increase by 1 h and peaked by 3–16 h after the irradiation with 10–100 mJ/cm². The differential expression of IL-1α and IL-1RA mRNA following exposure to a high dose (100 mJ/cm²) of UVB may markedly potentiate the role of IL-1 in UV-induced inflammation.     

Regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in normal and transformed keratinocytes

Summary Transformed keratinocytes (SCC-4, SCC-15, SCC-12F2, SVK14) or normal keratinocytes which differ in their differentiation programme were used to study the regulation of EGF-receptor expression. The capacity of the cells to differentiate was modulated by changing the extracellular calcium concentration. We were able to demonstrate that EGF-receptor expression in normal and transformed keratinocytes depends upon the cell type and one or more levels of regulatory control. At the DNA level, EGF-receptor gene amplification occurred in poorly differentiating cells. At the mRNA level, cells showing EGF-receptor gene amplification expressed elevated mRNA and protein levels when cultured under low Ca²⁺ conditions. Cells not exhibiting EGF-receptor gene amplification showed equal mRNA expression, regardless the Ca²⁺ concentration in the culture medium. At the protein level, EGF-receptor protein was decreased in cells exhibiting EGF-receptor gene amplification when extracellular Ca²⁺ was increased (to 1.6 mM) to stimulate differentiation, the decrease in protein being comparable to mRNA expression. Cells not exhibiting EGF-receptor gene amplification showed equal protein expression, regardless of the Ca²⁺ concentration in the culture medium. Under the same conditions, SV40 transformed keratinocytes showed equal mRNA but elevated protein expression in cells grown under low Ca²⁺ conditions. At the membrane level, normal keratinocytes and SCC-12F2 cells showed elevated numbers of cell surface exposed EGF-receptors in cells grown under low Ca²⁺ conditions, but equal mRNA and protein expression. These and previous findings demonstrate that EGF-receptor expression is regulated at the levels of DNA, mRNA and protein as well as by the plasma membrane composition, depending upon the cell type.     

Ultraviolet B irradiation increases keratin 1 and keratin 10 expressions in HaCaT keratinocytes via TRPV1 activation and ERK phosphorylation

In this study, we characterized the effect of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation with or without epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the regulation of keratinocyte differentiation under physiological concentration of Ca²⁺ (1.8 mM). In addition, growth factor deprivation used to measure signal transduction and kinase phosphorylation in many studies is physiologically unreal. Therefore, 1% of serum was also included in all experiment. We found that UVB irradiation Ca²⁺ dependently induced morphological differentiation and increased keratin 1 and 10 (K1/K10) expressions. Both were inhibited by treatment of cells with EGF. In quiescent cells, phosphorylation of ERK was stimulated by acute EGF treatment, while it rapidly desensitized in chronic EGF treatment or 1% serum exposure. UVB irradiation‐induced keratinocyte differentiation required Ca²⁺ influx through TRPV1. Ca²⁺‐dependent phosphorylation of ERK was responsible for the expression of K1/10. Cotreatment of cells with EGF during UVB irradiation inhibits the UVB irradiation‐induced differentiation by desensitizing ERK phosphorylation.     

Aminoisobutyric acid uptake in normal and transformed human epidermal keratinocytes

α-Aminoisobutyric acid transport has been demonstrated in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes as well as in the transformed state of these cells. The concentrative uptake is sodium-dependent and may be ascribed to one Michaelis-Menten component whose maximal velocity is 6.9 nmol/min × 10⁶ cells, with an apparent affinity of 3.8 mM. These parameters may be modified, depending upon the nature of malignant transformation. In SVK14 SV40-virus-transformed cells, there is no change of affinity but the maximal velocity is 1.5 fold less than in normal cells. In the spontaneous epidermoid carcinoma-derived A431 line, this phenomenon is inverted; the maximal velocity is unmodified but the system affinity is 2.2-fold higher than in normal cells. The unresponsiveness of this transport system to insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) shows that it behaves differently from those of many other cell types.