Machine Learning-Enhanced Estimation of Cellular Protein Levels from Bright-Field Images.

In this study, we aimed to develop a novel method for non-invasively determining intracellular protein levels, which is essential for understanding cellular phenomena. This understanding hinges on insights into gene expression, cell morphology, dynamics, and intercellular interactions. Traditional cell analysis techniques, such as immunostaining, live imaging, next-generation sequencing, and single-cell analysis, despite rapid advancements, face challenges in comprehensively integrating gene and protein expression data with spatiotemporal information.

Thioredoxin promotes the regeneration and binding of elastic fibre and basement membrane.

Objective: Thioredoxin (TRX), a ubiquitous protein with strong antioxidant activity, decreases in the skin with age. A decrease in TRX is expected to induce cellular senescence, chronic inflammation, and degeneration and loss of extracellular matrix (ECM), such as collagen and elastin within the skin. In this study, we investigated the effects of TRX addition to excised skin or skin models to understand the role of TRX on cells and ECM within the skin.

Investigation of stratum corneum cell morphology and content using novel machine-learning image analysis.

Background: The morphology and content of stratum corneum (SC) cells provide information on the physiological condition of the skin. Although the morphological and biochemical properties of the SC are known, no method is available to fully access and interpret this information. This study aimed to develop a method to comprehensively decode the physiological information of the skin, based on the SC.

Long Hanging Structure of Collagen VII Connects the Elastic Fibers and the Basement Membrane in Young Skin Tissue.

Aging leads to substantial structural changes in the skin. Elastic fibers maintain skin structure, but their degeneration and loss of function with age result in wrinkle formation and loss of skin elasticity. Oxytalan fiber, a type of elastic fiber, extends close to the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) from the back of the dermis.

Evaluation of elastin fibres in young and aged eyelids and abdominal skin using computational 3D structural analysis.

Background: Aging-related degeneration of elastic fibres causes skin wrinkles and loss of elasticity. A correlation has been reported between dermal elastic fibre degradation and wrinkles. However, the mechanism of wrinkle formation is complex and unclear.

Elastin microfibril interface-located protein 1 and its catabolic enzyme, cathepsin K, regulate the age-related structure of elastic fibers in the skin.

Introduction: The elastic fiber structure becomes shorter, thicker, and curved with age. Nonetheless, the proteins and catabolic enzymes influencing the maintenance of and change in the three-dimensional (3D) structure of elastic fibers remain unknown. This study aimed to identify the proteins involved in the maintenance and degeneration of elastic fiber structures.

Trehangelins ameliorate inflammation-induced skin senescence by suppressing the epidermal YAP-CCN1 axis.

Trehangelins (THG) are newly identified trehalose compounds derived from broth cultures of an endophytic actinomycete, Polymorphospora rubra. THG are known to suppress Cellular Communication Network factor 1 (CCN1), which regulates collagen homeostasis in the dermis. Although the physical properties of THG suggest a high penetration of the stratum corneum, the effect of THG on the epidermis has not been reported.

A photocaged DNA nanocapsule for delivery and manipulation in cells.

It is important to create new, specifically designed and controlled nanomaterials that can be used as molecular delivery systems for cells. Here, we describe a method for creating a nanosized DNA capsule (NC) using a photocaged unlocking system as a carrier for cell delivery. The photocaged NC (caged-NC) was designed and constructed to control the opening of the closed NC by photoirradiation.

A Photocaged DNA Nanocapsule for Controlled Unlocking and Opening inside the Cell.

We report a nanosized DNA capsule with a photoinducible mechanical unlocking system for creation of a carrier for delivery system to the cells. A photocage system was introduced into the nanocapsule (NC) for control of opening of the NC with photoirradiation. The opening of the NC was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the dynamic opening of the NC was examined by fluorescence recovery from the quenching.

Enolase-1 expression in the stratum corneum is elevated with parakeratosis of atopic dermatitis and disrupts the cellular tight junction barrier in keratinocytes.

Objective: Previous studies have shown that enolase-1 (ENO1) in the stratum corneum (SC) is more highly expressed in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) than in healthy individuals, suggesting that it is a novel biomarker for evaluating skin condition in patients with AD. However, the mechanism underlying high ENO1 expression in the SC and its pathological relevance in AD are unclear. In this study, the relationship between ENO1 expression and keratinization of epidermis was investigated, and the role of high ENO1 expression in keratinocytes was characterized.