Defining variant-resistant epitopes targeted by SARS-CoV-2 antibodies: A global consortium study.

Antibody-based therapeutics and vaccines are essential to combat COVID-19 morbidity and mortality after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Multiple mutations in SARS-CoV-2 that could impair antibody defenses propagated in human-to-human transmission and spillover or spillback events between humans and animals. To develop prevention and therapeutic strategies, we formed an international consortium to map the epitope landscape on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, defining and structurally illustrating seven receptor binding domain (RBD)–directed antibody communities with distinct footprints and competition profiles.

Effects of palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid on skin wrinkles and pigmentation.

Wrinkle formation and abnormal pigmentation are major clinical alterations associated with skin aging. As the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid on skin aging, the anti-wrinkle and depigmentation effects of palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid were evaluated by measuring collagen expression in dermal fibroblast cells and inhibition of melanogenesis in B16F1 cells, respectively. The anti-aging effect of palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid cream was also evaluated against a placebo cream in a clinical trial.

Melatonin ameliorates alcohol-induced bile acid synthesis by enhancing miR-497 expression.

Alcoholic liver disease is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) is involved in a diverse metabolic diseases. B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) and yin yang 1 (YY1) are a potent regulator of biological conditions. Melatonin plays a crucial role in regulating diverse physiological functions and metabolic homeostasis.

Berberine regulates melanin synthesis by activating PI3K/AKT, ERK and GSK3β in B16F10 melanoma cells.

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has a wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cholesterol-lowering effects. Recently findings suggest that berberine improves glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. In the present study, we examined the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of berberine on α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells.

Synergistic Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha-Stimulated Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Expression in HaCaT Cells by a Combination of Rapamycin and Mycophenolic Acid.

Background: Keratinocytes release various pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in response to cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ. Rapamycin and mycophenolic acid (MPA) have potent immunosuppressive activity because they inhibit lymphocyte proliferation.

Objective: We investigated the effects of rapamycin and MPA on the expression of inflammation-related factors such as ICAM-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and related signaling pathways in TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT cells.

Inhibitory effects of Saururi chinensis extracts on melanin biosynthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells.

Saururus chinensis has been used in folk medicine in Korea for the treatment of edema, jaundice, gonorrhea, and several inflammatory diseases. Saururi chinensis extracts (SCE) have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities, as well as anti-asthmatic, antihypertensive, anti-angiogenic, and therapeutic activities for atopic dermatitis. However, the inhibitory activity of SCE on the melanogenesis signaling pathway is not completely understood.

Successful treatment of alopecia areata with topical calcipotriol.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an inflammatory hair loss of unknown etiology. AA is chronic and relapsing, and no effective cure or preventive treatment has been established. Vitamin D was recently reported to be important in cutaneous immune modulation as well as calcium regulation and bone metabolism.

A comparison of neuropeptide expression in skin with allergic contact dermatitis in human and mouse.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a manifestation of a cell-mediated immune response, but its mechanism remains unknown. Recently, we investigated whether ACD involves various neuropeptides. Substance P (SP) is a neuropeptide that is known to act as a neurokinin receptor when the immune response is initiated.

Transdermal drug delivery using disk microneedle rollers in a hairless rat model.

Background: Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs) represent more reliable and consistent methods of drug dosing than oral administration. However, TDDSs can administer only low molecular weight (MW) drugs and require a power source. Disk microneedle rollers facilitate the passage of low and high MW substances through the direct perforation of the stratum corneum and dermis, without stimulating dermal nerves.

The Safety Evaluation of a Potent Angiogenic Activator, Synthetic Peptide (SFKLRY-NH2) for the Skin Application.

A novel synthetic hexapeptide (SFKLRY-NH2) that displays angiogenic activity has been identified by positional scanning of a synthetic peptide combinatorial library (PS-SPCL). This study was carried out to investigate the irritation of the SFKLRY-NH2 on the skin. The tests were performed on the basis of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) guidelines.