Min-Youl Chang

Improving lip wrinkles: lipstick-related image analysis

Background/purpose: The appearance of lip wrinkles is problematic if it is adversely influenced by lipstick make‐up causing incomplete color tone, spread phenomenon and pigment remnants. It is mandatory to develop an objective assessment method for lip wrinkle status by which the potential of wrinkle‐improving products to lips can be screened. The present study is aimed at finding out the useful parameters from the image analysis of lip wrinkles that is affected by lipstick application.

A quantitative evaluation method of skin texture affected by skin ageing using replica images of the cheek.

Skin texture is a fine structure of skin surface where the hill and furrow were crossed to form a star shape. This study was performed to establish a quantitative evaluation method of skin texture affected by skin ageing using replica images of the cheek.

Identification of a possible susceptibility locus for UVB‐induced skin tanning phenotype in Korean females using genomewide association study

A two‐stage genomewide association (GWA) analysis was conducted to investigate the genetic factors influencing ultraviolet (UV)‐induced skin pigmentation in Korean females after UV exposure. Previously, a GWA study evaluating ~500 000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 99 Korean females identified eight SNPs that were highly associated with tanning ability. To confirm these associations, we genotyped the SNPs in an independent replication study (112 Korean females). We found that a novel SNP in the intron of the WW domain‐containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene yielded significant replicated associations with skin tanning ability (P‐value = 1.16 × 10−4). To understand the functional consequences of this locus located in the non‐coding region, we investigated the role of WWOX in human melanocytes using a recombinant adenovirus expressing a microRNA specific for WWOX. Inhibition of WWOX expression significantly increased the expression and activity of tyrosinase in human melanocytes. Taken together, our results suggest that genetic variants in the intronic region of WWOX could be determinants in the UV‐induced tanning ability of Korean females. WWOX represents a new candidate gene to evaluate the molecular basis of the UV‐induced tanning ability in individuals.

A Genome-Wide Association Study in Koreans Identifies Susceptibility Loci for Allergic Nickel Dermatitis

a Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul , b Department of Dermatology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam , c Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, and d LG Household and Healthcare, Daejon , e Theragen-Etex Bio Institute, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Kwanggyo Technovalley, and f Personal Genomic Institute, Suwon , and g Department of Dermatology and Institute of Health Sciences,

Possible Role of Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein 3 on Skin Hydration by Regulating Epidermal Differentiation

Background Skin hydration is a common problem both in elderly and young people as dry skin may cause irritation, dermatological disorders, and wrinkles. While both genetic and environmental factors seem to influence skin hydration, thorough genetic studies on skin hydration have not yet been conducted. Objective We used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to explore the genetic elements underlying skin hydration by regulating epidermal differentiation and skin barrier function. Methods A GWAS was conducted to investigate the genetic factors influencing skin hydration in 100 Korean females along with molecular studies of genes in human epidermal keratinocytes for functional study in vitro. Results Among several single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in GWAS, we focused on Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein 3 (SSBP3) which is associated with DNA replication and DNA damage repair. To better understand the role of SSBP3 in skin cells, we introduced a calcium-induced differentiation keratinocyte culture system model and found that SSBP3 was upregulated in keratinocytes in a differentiation dependent manner. When SSBP3 was overexpressed using a recombinant adenovirus, the expression of differentiation-related genes such as loricrin and involucrin was markedly increased. Conclusion Taken together, our results suggest that genetic variants in the intronic region of SSBP3 could be determinants in skin hydration of Korean females. SSBP3 represents a new candidate gene to evaluate the molecular basis of the hydration ability in individuals.