Methyl-β-cyclodextrin up-regulates collagen I expression in chronologically-aged skin via its anti-caveolin-1 activity

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is one of the key molecules to modulate collagen metabolism in the skin. This study aimed to unravel the relationship between Cav-1 and collagen levels in the aged skin, and also to evaluate a new role of anti-Cav-1 agent as a collagen-modulating agent. A negative correlation between Cav-1 and collagen I (COL I) was detected in chronologically aged skin of humans and mice, which was further confirmed by Cav-1 knock-down or knock-out experiments. Next, we tested whether methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) as a chemical Cav-1 inhibitor could be developed as a collagen-modulating agent in the skin. Testing different conditions of MβCD injection via the intra-dermal route revealed that 2.5% MβCD administered twice per week for two months showed a potent COL I-up-regulating activity, leading to the increase of skin thickness (P < 0.05) without adverse reactions such as skin fibrosis. In human dermal fibroblasts, MβCD treatment induced up-regulated COL I and down-regulated Cav-1, supporting the results of mouse experiments. Collectively, MβCD has a COL I-enhancing activity in chronologically-aged skin, where Cav-1 acts as a brake in COL I expression, suggesting its potential role for an anti-aging agent.