Highlights
- •The activity of BH were higher in the elderly skin than in young.
- •NMF amino acids were significantly higher in the elderly skin than in young.
- •SC hydration and TEWL were significantly lower in elderly skin, indicating dry skin.
- •・Increased production of BH may be a compensatory mechanisms against dry skin.
Abstract
Background
Bleomycin hydrolase (BH), which is expressed in the stratum granulosum and lower stratum
corneum (SC), is involved in final filaggrin degradation. Furthermore, BH plays an
essential role in producing free amino acids, which constitute the majority of natural
moisturizing factors (NMF). However, the effects of BH expression and protease activity
on human skin aging remain unclear.
Objective
This study was designed to evaluate the activity and expression patterns of BH in
SC extracts from healthy young and elderly individuals.
Methods
SC samples were collected by tape stripping. BH activity was assessed by measuring
the citrulline aminopeptidase activity. BH expression was determined by Western blotting,
and NMF was quantified by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Skin barrier function
was determined by measuring SC hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin
pH.
Results
The activity and expression of BH were higher in the elderly skin than in young skin,
and BH activity was correlated with BH expression levels. Evaluation of the NMF showed
that the levels of total amino acids, such as glycine, serine, aspartic acid, citrulline,
pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (a metabolite of glutamic acid), and trans-urocanic acid
(a metabolite of histidine), were significantly higher in elderly skin than in young
skin. Moreover, SC hydration and TEWL were significantly lower in elderly, indicating
dry skin, and pH was significantly higher in elderly, indicating greater skin alkalinization.
Conclusion
These results suggest that BH activity and expression, as well as NMF amino acids,
increase in elderly people as compensatory mechanisms against dry skin.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 2,
2023
Received in revised form:
February 7,
2023
Received:
November 8,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology.
