Chitooligomers inhibit UV-A-induced photoaging of skin by regulating TGF-β/Smad signaling cascade

In the present study, effect of low molecular weight chitooligomers on prevention of photoaging in UV-A irradiated in vitro human dermal fibroblasts was investigated. sults indicated that chitooligomers suppressed family of collagenase (MMP-1, MMP-8 and MMP-13) and gelatinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) MMPs expression. These levels were inhibited by increase in expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 genes. In addition, treatment with chitooligomers enhanced the expression of collagen synthetic markers such as procollagen and type I collagen in UV-A irradiated dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, we confirmed that the UV-A-induced transcriptions of AP-1 and TGF-β/Smad signaling cascade were regulated by chitooligomers treatment in UV-A irradiated dermal fibroblasts. ore, our study suggests that chitooligomers can be developed as topical application of natural anti-aging cosmeceuticals since reduced the skin collagen decomposition by enhancement of collagen synthesis.