The Henna pigment Lawsone activates the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and impacts skin homeostasis.

ABSTRACT: As a first host barrier, the skin is constantly exposed to environmental insults that perturb its integrity. Tight regulation of skin homeostasis is largely controlled by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Here, we demonstrate that Henna and its major pigment, the naphthoquinone Lawsone activate AhR, both in vitro and in vivo. In human keratinocytes and epidermis equivalents, Lawsone exposure enhances the production of late epidermal proteins, impacts keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, and regulates skin inflammation. To determine the potential use of Lawsone for therapeutic application, we harnessed human, murine and zebrafish models. In skin regeneration models, Lawsone interferes with physiological tissue regeneration and inhibits wound healing. Conversely, in a human acu

SUBMITTER: Lozza L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6659674 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature