Plantaricin A synthesized by Lactobacillus plantarum induces in vitro proliferation and migration of human keratinocytes and increases the expression of TGF-β1, FGF7, VEGF-A and IL-8 genes

This work showed the effect of pheromone plantaricin A (PlnA) on the proliferation and migration of the human keratinocytes NCTC 2544. PlnA was chemically synthesized and used as pure peptide or biologically synthesized during co-cultivation of Lactobacillus plantarum DC400 and Lactobacillus san-franciscensis DPPMA174. The cell-free supernatant (CFS) was used as the crude preparation containing PlnA. The inductive effect of PlnA on the proliferation of NCTC 2544 cells was higher than that found for hyaluronic acid, a well known skin protective compound. As shown by scratch assay and image analyses, PlnA enhanced the migration of NCTC 2544 cells. Compared to the basal serum free medium (control), the highest inductive effect was found using 10 mu g/ml of chemically synthesized PlnA. Similar results (P > 0.05) were found for CFS. In agreement, the percentage of the starting scratch area was decreased after treatment (24 h) with PlnA. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), keratinocyte growth factor 7 (FGF7), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) genes was affected by PlnA. Compared to control, TGF-beta 1 gene was under expressed in the first 4h of treatments and up-regulated after 8-24 h. On the contrary, FGF7 gene was strongly up-regulated in the first 4 h of treatments. Compared to control, VEGF-A and IL-8 genes were always up-regulated during the 4-24 h from scratching. Since capable of promoting the proliferation and migration of the human keratinocytes and of stimulating IL-8 cytokine, the use of PlnA for dermatological purposes should be considered. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.