Increased pro‐collagen 1, elastin, and TGF‐β1 expression by copper ions in an ex‐vivo human skin model

Abstract

Background Clinical studies demonstrated that continued exposure to copper oxide–embedded textiles, such as pillowcases, significantly reduces depth of facial wrinkles and skin sagging and enhances skin elasticity. Objective Study the mechanisms by which the exposure to copper ions improve the well‐being of the skin. Methods Human skin explants, cultured ex‐vivo, were exposed topically to saline alone or saline containing 0.02 or 1 µmol/L copper ions. The skin explants viability, histology and secretion of elastin, pro‐collagen 1, and TGF‐β1 to the culture medium were determined at various time intervals. Results Exposure to saline containing 0.02 or 1 µmol/L copper ions did not affect the viability or morphological profile of the explants as compared to control explants treated with saline only. Notably, exposure of the skin grafts to 0.02 or to 1 µmol/L of copper ions resulted in ~100% and ~20% increases in elastin and pro‐collagen 1 concentrations, respectively, in the culture supernatants already after 1 day of incubation, which remained statistically significantly elevated also after 6 days on incubation, as compared to the control explants. In addition, ~2‐ and ~4‐fold increases in TGF‐ß1 levels in the culture supernatants of explants exposed to the copper ions were detected after 4 and 6 days of culture, as compared to the explants exposed to saline alone. Conclusion This study substantiated the anti‐aging effect that copper ions have on the skin and gave insights into the mechanisms by which exposure of the skin to copper ions improves the skin well‐being.

Kinetic Cytokine Secretion Profile of LPS-Induced Inflammation in the Human Skin Organ Culture

“…Following LPS treatment, the epidermis was separated from dermis, and viability was determined, as described before [17]. Briefly, the skin was incubated for 1 min in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 56 • C, after which the epidermis was physically detached from the dermis using forceps and scalpel.…”

A novel human ex vivo skin model to study early local responses to burn injuries

“…Several rodent and porcine in vivo models for burn injuries have been described 31 , but due to anatomical and physiological differences, it is difficult to directly translate findings from animal models to the clinical situation 32 . Ex vivo skin organ culture models based on the cultivation of small skin biopsies allow for the analysis of skin pathologies including burn injuries in a fully human situation [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] , but they are dependent on rather artificial culture conditions.…”

Correlation between Elemental Composition/Mobility and Skin Cell Proliferation of Fibrous Nanoclay/Spring Water Hydrogels

“…Together with Zn, Cu is a useful element in terms of wound healing [ 67 ] and its presence is allowed in cosmetics by EC 1223/2009. This element has been demonstrated to increase the expression of TGF-β1 in ex vivo skin models, thus leading to higher pro-collagen 1 and elastin production by fibroblasts [ 67 ]. Moreover, Cu has been demonstrated to enhance skin cell migration (keratinocytes and fibroblasts), which is crucial for wound healing [ 68 , 69 ].…”

“…Together with Zn, Cu is a useful element in terms of wound healing [67] and its presence is allowed in cosmetics by EC 1223/2009. This element has been demonstrated to increase the expression of TGF-β1 in ex vivo skin models, thus leading to higher pro-collagen 1 and elastin production by fibroblasts [67].…”