1323 The effects of 3-OH of kaempferol on interfollicular epidermal stem cell fate

Abstract

Kaempferol (3,4,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid which is known to have a wide range of pharmacological activities. In this study, we tested whether kaempferol can affect the expression of integrins and influence the stem cell fate of interfollicular epidermal stem cells in three-dimensional skin models. Results showed that kaempferol increased the thickness of epidermis when added to skin equivalents. Basal cells of skin equivalents looked more columnar in kaemferol treated culture. In an immunohistological study, enhanced expression of integrin α6 and β1 and increased numbers of p63 and PCNA positive cells were observed in kaempferol treated models.The RT-PCR analysis also confirmed that kaempferol increased the expression of integrin α6 and integrin β1 expression. All of these findings showed that kaempferol can increase the proliferative potential of basal epidermal cells by modulation of the basement membrane. The effects of kaemferol were compared with those of apigenin (4,5,7-trihydroxyflavone). Apigenin has a similar structure to kaemferol except for 3-OH group, which is important in antioxidant activities. In contrast to Kaemferol, apigenin exhibited negative effects on three-dimensional skin models. These findings showed that kaempferol can affect the fate of interfollicular epidermal stem cells by increasing expression of both integrin 6 and 1. These effects might be closely related to 3-OH group of kaempferol.