Xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin modify gene expression and induce synthesis of hyaluronan in keratinocyte model of human skin

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials report benefits of the xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin for skin health. Here a keratinocyte culture was used to investigate the effects of in vitro xanthophyll treatment on gene expression and biochemical pathways. METHODS: We employed the EpiDerm tissue model, Affymetrix Human Genome Array U113, bioinformatics analyses, qPCR validation and biochemical assays for glycosaminoglycans. RESULTS: We discovered 176 genes were significantly (p<0.05) down-regulated (log 2FC>2) and 47 genes were significantly up-regulated. Among the down-regulated genes we validated by qPCR marked reduction in expression of peptidase inhibitors. Bioinformatic analysis of the up-regulated genes implicated biosynthetic pathways for glycosaminoglycans. We assayed but found no increase in production of sulfated glycosaminoglycans, however there was a significant increase in biosynthesis of hyaluronic acid, a non-sulfated glycan. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of xanthophyll-regulated genes and the resulting biochemical responses can be linked with the responses observed in clinic trials. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Skin health benefits from xanthophyll supplementation and this study reveals molecular mechanisms for some of the effects.