Organic components from scallop shell increase expression of keratinocyte growth factor in human skin fibroblast

We observed previously that scallop shells contain organic components that have various useful applications for skin. The organic components from scallop shell (scallop shell extract) enhance the turnover rate of the rat skin epidermal layer and increase the rate of recovery of UVB-induced injury to rat dorsal skin. We investigated the effect of scallop shell extract on the expression of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) from human skin fibroblasts because it has been reported that KGF promotes wound healing and reduces the generation of UVB-induced free radicals in skin. Scallop shell extract increased the mRNA expression level of KGF in skin fibroblasts and the secretion of KGF from the fibroblasts at the protein level. These results suggest that the scallop shell extract may promote recovery from UVB-induced injury in skin through an increase in the secretion of KGF from the fibroblast cell.