The role of AhR endogenous ligand in skin wound healing

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K10942
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Plastic surgery
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University (2017); Kyushu University (2015-2016)
• Principal Investigator: KOGA Saori 熊本大学, 発生医学研究所, 助教 (80590249)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ダイオキシン受容体 / トリプトファン代謝物 / 創傷治癒

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays crucial roles in the protection against xenobiotics exposure. Recent report showed that 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ) was one of the endogenous AhR ligands. We previously revealed that FICZ promoted cutaneous wound healing in various mouse models, including db/db mice, which exhibited delayed wound healing. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the wound healing acceleration by FICZ remains unclear. Here, we first demonstrated that FICZ promoted the migration of human keratinocytes via an increased MEK and ERK phosphorylation under scratch condition. Cell migration induced by FICZ was suppressed by MEK/ERK inhibitors, but not EGFR inhibitor. In addition, FICZ accelerated wound closure irrespective of AhR expression. Our findings indicate that FICZ has potential as an enhancer of cell migration via activation of MEK/ERK pathway in an AhR-independent manner, and might be beneficial for wound healing.

Free Research Field

皮膚生理学