Yukio Hasebe

Hydrolyzed eggshell membrane immobilized on phosphorylcholine polymer supplies extracellular matrix environment for human dermal fibroblasts

We have found that a water-soluble alkaline-digested form of eggshell membrane (ASESM) can provide an extracellular matrix (ECM) environment for human dermal fibroblast cells (HDF) in vitro. Avian eggshell membrane (ESM) has a fibrous-meshwork structure and has long been utilized as a Chinese medicine for recovery from burn injuries and wounds in Asian countries. Therefore, ESM is expected to provide an excellent natural material for biomedical use. However, such applications have been hampered by the insolubility of ESM proteins. We have used a recently developed artificial cell membrane biointerface, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer (PMBN) to immobilize ASESM proteins. The surface shows a fibrous structure under the atomic force microscope, and adhesion of HDF to ASESM is ASESM-dose-dependent. Quantitative mRNA analysis has revealed that the expression of type III collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and decorin mRNAs is more than two-fold higher when HDF come into contact with a lower dose ASESM proteins immobilized on PMBN surface. A particle-exclusion assay with fixed erythrocytes has visualized secreted water-binding molecules around the cells. Thus, HDF seems to possess an ECM environment on the newly designed PMBN-ASESM surface, and future applications of the ASESM-PMBN system for biomedical use should be of great interest.

Eggshell membrane powder ameliorates intestinal inflammation by facilitating the restitution of epithelial injury and alleviating microbial dysbiosis

Gut microbiota is an essential factor in the shaping of intestinal immune system development and driving inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We report the effects and microbe-host interactions underlying an intervention using fine powder of eggshell membrane (ESM) against IBD. ESM attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory cytokine production and promoted the Caco-2 cell proliferation by up-regulating growth factors in vitro. In a murine model of dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis, ESM significantly suppressed the disease activity index and colon shortening. These effects were associated with significant ameliorations of gene expressions of inflammatory mediators, intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, restitution-related factors and antimicrobial peptides. Multifaceted integrated omics analyses revealed improved levels of energy metabolism-related genes, proteins and metabolites. Concomitantly, cecal metagenomic information established an essential role of ESM in improving dysbiosis characterized by increasing the diversity of bacteria and decreasing absolute numbers of pathogenic bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli, as well as in the regulation of the expansion of Th17 cells by suppressing the overgrowth of segmented filamentous bacteria. Such modulations have functional effects on the host; i.e., repairing the epithelium, regulating energy requirements and eventually alleviating mucosal inflammation. These findings are first insights into ESM’s modulation of microbiota and IBD suppression, providing new perspectives on the prevention/treatment of IBD.

Eggshell membrane application and ingestion improve skin elasticity

Miho Shimizu, PhD​1​, Eri Ohto-Fujita, PhD​1​, Aya Atomi, RPT​1​, Tomoaki Atomi, RPT, PhD​2​, Kotaro Yoshimura, MD​3​, Kenji Harada, MD​4​, Tomonori Kawai DC​5​, Yukio Hasebe​6​, Yoriko Atomi, PhD​1 1​Material Health Science Laboratory, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan 2​Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Kyorin University, 5-4-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-8612, Japan. 3​Department of Plastic Surgery, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi-ken, 329-0498, Japan 4​Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Health Service, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan 5​Institute for Integrated Sports Medicine, School of Medicine Keio University, Tokyo, Japan 6​Almado inc., 3-6-18 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0031, Japan Corresponding author: yatomi@cc.tuat.ac.jp Presenter contacts: Tomonori Kawai