Protective effects of skin permeable epidermal and fibroblast growth factor against ultraviolet‐induced skin damage and human skin wrinkles

Summary Background Epidermal and fibroblast growth factor ( EGF and FGF 1) proteins play an important role in the regeneration and proliferation of skin cells. EGF and FGF 1 have considerable potential as possible therapeutic or cosmetic agents for the treatment of skin damage including wrinkles. Objectives Using protein transduction domains ( PTD ), we investigated whether PTD ‐ EGF and FGF 1 transduced into skin cells and tissue. Transduced proteins showed protective effects in a UV ‐induced skin damage model as well as against skin wrinkles. Methods Transduced PTD ‐ EGF and FGF 1 proteins were detected by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. The effects of PTD ‐ EGF and FGF 1 were examined by WST assay, W estern blotting, immunohistochemistry, and skin wrinkle parameters. Results The PTD ‐ EGF and FGF 1 increased cell proliferation and collagen type 1 alpha 1 protein accumulation in skin tissue. Also, PTD ‐ EGF and FGF 1 inhibited UV ‐induced skin damage. Furthermore, topical application of PTD ‐ EGF and FGF 1 contained ampoules which were considered to improve the wrinkle parameters of human skin. Conclusion These results show that PTD ‐ EGF and FGF 1 can be a potential therapeutic or cosmetic agent for skin damaged and injury including wrinkles and aging.