AGI Dermatics today announced new clinical research that the 8-oxo-guanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) encapsulated in liposomes enhances DNA repair and reduces MMP-1 and TNF-alpha in UV irradiated skin cells. The data was presented at the 68th Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology, May 9 - 12, in Los Angeles, CA. "Our clinical study suggests that OGGI liposomes enhance DNA repair in skin cells," said Daniel Yarosh, PhD, President, AGI Dermatics. "This is particularly exciting when we consider that existing data shows that 8-oxo- guanine causes the most significant damage to mitochondrial DNA, which manifests as nearly all signs of premature aging." The study examined the question of, if by damaging DNA with reactive oxygen species (ROS) would there be an increase of either/both matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tumor necrosis factor, two factors known to play roles in photoaging. The formation of 8-oxo-G is induced by ROS from UVA irradiation, cigarette smoke, environmental stressors, endogenous enzymatic peroxidation reactions and normal mitochondrial metabolism. Those mentioned account for nearly all of the symptoms of premature skin aging. Long-term exposure consequences include photodamage, fine lines and wrinkles. Natural cellular repair of the oxidative damage entails complete removal of 8-oxo-G from DNA via the enzyme OGGI. For the test, OOGI encapsulated in liposomes showed that the delivery of this enzyme into fibroblasts increases the rate of repair of 8-oxo-G, and reduces mitochondrial toxicity and analyzed mRNA content and protein secretion of MMP-1 and TNF-alpha, with real-time RT- PCR and ELISA. Normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) were irradiated with solar- stimulating (ss) UV (UVA340 bulb) to induce MMP-1. Following irradiation, cells were treated with 1ug/mL OGG1 liposomes for up to 48 hours. The study then looked at the results of "repair by damaging" the DNA. The treatment of ssUV stimulated NHEK results in an increased TNF-alpha mRNA expression after 24 hours and TNF secretion after 48 hours. Both ssUV-induced TNF- mRNA and secreted protein were reduced by 50% following OGG1 liposome treatment. In conclusion, these results indicate that treatment of dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes with OGG1 liposomes enhance DNA repair, leads to a reduction in the expression and/or secretion of stress responses proteins such as ssUV-induced MMP-1 and ssUV-induced TNF-a mRNA. AGI Dermatics is the developer of Remergent, a doctor-dispensed skincare line based on the science of DNA repair. Remergent DNA Repair Formula and Antioxidant Refoliator both contain Roxomes, liposomes encapsulating OGG1, which protect the cells genetic material from ROS. About AGI Dermatics AGI Dermatics is the bio-pharmaceutical laboratory that has led research of DNA repair of the skin for more than 20 years. Founded by Daniel B. Yarosh, PhD, AGI Dermatics specializes in skin photobiology, dedicating research and development to DNA repair, solar impact on the immune system, and cell- signaling in skin. The company's application of groundbreaking active ingredients and meticulously engineered liposome delivery systems is validated in controlled clinical studies and published in dozens of peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals.