Oxidative stress

We use primary epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts, 2D/3D cell models, ex vivo organ culture of human hair follicles and human full thickness skin to investigate whether compounds/formulations (also via topical application) protect from experimentally-induced oxidative stress. Specifically, as standardized readout parameters, we evaluate the following by immunohistology/quantitative (immuno-) histomorphometry, and in situ zymography (for our techniques, please click here).

  • Expression of transcription factors involved in mitochondrial biogenesis
  • Expression and activity of proteins/enzymes involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism, including mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial DNA synthesis, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation
  • Expression and activities of anti-oxidant enzymes
  • Expression and activation of anti-oxidant transcription factors and proteins
  • Lipid peroxidation
  • Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production
  • DNA damage

  • Oxidative stress biomarker MDA analysis by GC/MS (QIMA Life Sciences)

  • Carbonylated proteins (QIMA Life Sciences)

  • SeaHorse technologies (QIMA Life Sciences)

In addition, using RNAseq, qRT-PCR and/or in situ hybridization, we can analyse the expression of molecules involved in oxidative stress, and assess these within specific compartments from skin or hair tissue sections following laser capture microdissection.

Additional readout parameters are available, and customized experiments can be designed to meet the needs of our customers.

Selected publications

Oláh et al., 2020, Bertolini et al., 2020, Gherardini et al., 2019, Jadkauskaite et al., 2018, Haslam et al., 2017

Comprehensive & interdisciplinary expertise that covers the entire field of hair & skin research.