The three major isoforms of TGF-beta are expressed in human OA cartilage, albeit the TGF-beta2 level is very low. Their expression patterns and the ratio of receptors I and II varies according to the degree of OA severity. The decrease in TGF-beta1 production and marked downregulation of receptor II in fibrillated cartilage may lead to reduced chondrocyte responsiveness to TGF-beta and contribute to the irreversibility of the disease. Overexpression of TGF-beta1 and -beta3 in osteophytes suggests that the two isoforms are involved in the formation of these structures.

This work suggests that VTSW could be considered as an ingredient of potential interest to address some of the deleterious effects of skin ageing exposome.

These findings demonstrate that reconstructed human epidermis is a useful in vitro model to study UVA-induced oxidative stress and protection afforded by iron chelators, antioxidants or UVA absorbers.