Cell model of inflammation.

Chemical and physical stimuli trigger a cutaneous response by first inducing the main epidermal cells, keratinocytes, to produce specific mediators that are responsible for the initiation of skin inflammation. Activation modulates cell communication, namely leucocyte recruitment and blood-to-skin extravasation through the selective barrier of the vascular ECs (endothelial cells). In the present study, we describe an in vitro model which takes into account the various steps of human skin inflammation, from keratinocyte activation to the adhesion of leucocytes to dermal capillary ECs. Human adult keratinocytes were subjected to stress by exposure to UV irradiation or neuropeptides, then the conditioned culture medium was used to mimic the natural micro-environmental conditions for dermal ECs. A relevant in vitro model must include appropriate cells from the skin. This is shown in the present study by the selective reaction of dermal ECs compared with EC lines from distinct origins, in terms of leucocyte recruitment, sensitivity to stress and nature of the stress-induced secreted mediators. This simplified model is suitable for the screening of anti-inflammatory molecules whose activity requires the presence of various skin cells.

Transcriptional effect of an Aframomum angustifolium seed extract on human cutaneous cells using low-density DNA chips.

BACKGROUND: Studying photoexposed and photoprotected skin biopsies from young and aged women, it has been found that a specific zone, composed of the basal layers of the epidermis, the dermal epidermal junction, and the superficial dermis, is major target of aging and reactive oxygen species. We showed that this zone is characterized by significant variations at a transcriptional and/or protein levels. AIMS: Using low-density DNA chip technology, we evaluated the effect of a natural mixture of Aframomum angustifolium seed extract containing labdane diterpenoids on these aging markers. METHODS: Expression profiles of normal human fibroblasts (NHF) were studied using a customized cDNA macroarray system containing genes covering dermal structure, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress defense mechanisms. For normal human keratinocyte (NHK) investigations, we chose OLISA technique, a sensitive and quantitative method developed by BioMérieux specifically designed to investigate cell death, proliferation, epidermal structure, differentiation, and oxidative stress defense response. RESULTS: We observed that this extract strongly modified gene expression profiles of treated NHK, but weakly for NHF. This extract regulated antioxidant defenses, dermal-epidermal junction components, and epidermal renewal-related genes. CONCLUSION: Using low-density DNA chip technology, we identified new potential actions of A. angustifolium seed extract on skin aging.