N-Acetylglutaminoyl-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine (SIG-1191): an anti-inflammatory molecule that increases the expression of the aquaglyceroporin, aquaporin-3, in human keratinocytes.

TitleN-Acetylglutaminoyl-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine (SIG-1191): an anti-inflammatory molecule that increases the expression of the aquaglyceroporin, aquaporin-3, in human keratinocytes.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsFernández, JR, Webb, C, Rouzard, K, Voronkov, M, Huber, KL, Stock, JB, Stock, M, Gordon, JS, Pérez, E
JournalArch Dermatol Res
Volume309
Issue2
Pagination103-110
Date Published2017 Mar
ISSN1432-069X
KeywordsAnti-Inflammatory Agents, Aquaporin 3, Dipeptides, Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases, Humans, Hypodermoclysis, Inflammation, Interleukin-6, Keratinocytes, Lipopeptides, Signal Transduction, Skin, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Ultraviolet Rays
Abstract

<p>Isoprenylcysteine (IPC) small molecules were discovered as signal transduction modulating compounds ~25 years ago. More recently, IPC molecules have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in a variety of dermal cells as well as antimicrobial activity, representing a novel class of compounds to ameliorate skin conditions and disease. Here, we demonstrate a new IPC compound, N-acetylglutaminoyl-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine (SIG-1191), which inhibits UVB-induced inflammation blocking pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production. To investigate further the previously reported hydrating potential of IPC compounds, SIG-1191 was tested for its ability to modulate aquaporin expression. Specifically, aquaporin 3 (AQP3) the most abundant aquaporin found in skin has been reported to play a key role in skin hydration, elasticity and barrier repair. Results show here for the first time that SIG-1191 increases AQP3 expression in both cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes as well as when applied topically in a three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed human skin equivalent. Additionally, SIG-1191 dose dependently increased AQP3 protein levels, as determined by specific antibody staining, in the epidermis of the 3D skin equivalents. To begin to elucidate which signaling pathways SIG-1191 may be modulating to increase AQP3 levels, we used several pharmacological pathway inhibitors and determined that AQP3 expression is mediated by the Mitogen-activated protein kinase/Extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) pathway. Altogether, these data suggest SIG-1191 represents a new IPC derivative with anti-inflammatory activity that may also promote increased skin hydration based on its ability to increase AQP3 levels.</p>

DOI10.1007/s00403-016-1708-x
Alternate JournalArch Dermatol Res
PubMed ID27988893
PubMed Central IDPMC5309294