Taurine and Polyphenol Complex Repaired Epidermal Keratinocyte Wounds by Regulating IL8 and TIMP2 Expression
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis paper focuses on the effect of a taurine and polyphenol complex on acne scar repair. The research carried out by the authors is of technical and scientific interest. The manuscript is written in a clear style, but some points need clarification.
- - Line 63: the information presented is unclear and should be corrected “… to be a modulator of taurine metabolism [18]. by modulating taurine metabolism.“
- - Figs. 1, 3, 5 captions are confused and should be corrected.
- - The Discussion section is the same as the Results section. Authors should discuss not only the results, but also their interpretation in relation to other researchers’ studies, and present hypotheses. It might be better to merge this section with the Results section.
- - In my opinion, it would be good to present the Conclusions.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageEnglish is good enough.
Author Response
We have diligently reviewed all feedback provided by the reviewers and have responded to each comment with precision. We appreciate your thoughtful comments.
This paper focuses on the effect of a taurine and polyphenol complex on acne scar repair. The research carried out by the authors is of technical and scientific interest. The manuscript is written in a clear style, but some points need clarification.
[Comment 1] Line 63: the information presented is unclear and should be corrected “… to be a modulator of taurine metabolism [18]. by modulating taurine metabolism.“
[Response 1] We checked and revised the sentence.
[Comment 2] Figs. 1, 3, 5 captions are confused and should be corrected.
[Response 2] We checked and revised the sentences.
[Comment 3] The Discussion section is the same as the Results section. Authors should discuss not only the results, but also their interpretation in relation to other researchers’ studies, and present hypotheses. It might be better to merge this section with the Results section.
[Response 3] We have added an additional description of the molecule MCP1, which was not fully covered in the discussion section (line 378), and the reason why we believe that the simultaneous regulation of IL8 and TIMP2, as we initially hypothesized, is important for wound healing (line 421).
[Comment 4] In my opinion, it would be good to present the Conclusions.
[Response 4] We separated the conclusion section and the discussion section has been enhanced.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsMS-cimb-3123712 can be accepted with minor revisions.
- How did the authors choose chlorogenic acid and taurine concentrations, used in the tests? Was a dose-response curve of the substances performed beforehand?
- Same question regarding the choice of CFU/ml of C.Acnes used in the tests?
- The data presented in Fig. 1A and 1B are not clear, due to the choice of combining 14 graphs for each figure, collecting the data in a table would make it easier to read and evaluate the significance of the data.
- In Figure 1: is the photo of the Non-acneic skin subject filtered? The photo's contrast, exposure, and brightness are different compared to the photo of the Acneic skin subject.
- Again in Fig. 1B, the authors do not discuss the data of the MCP1 protein expression which has a similar trend to TIMP2.
- In Fig. 3B the fluorescence images of Claudin are poorly defined. Furthermore, the image analysis method used is not indicated.
- The gene expression obtained in Real Time PCR for IL1a; IL1b; IL6; HAS3 and AQP3 should be confirmed in WB.
- In Fig.5B the skin density value was evaluated for all the subjects of the study.
The introductory part presented by the authors is sufficiently supported by a recent bibliography.
The results are exposed while the choice of statistical calculation with only the Student's test could be integrated with analysis of variance.
The conclusive part and the discussion could be increased.
The paper must be checked again for the presence of typing errors and the presence of redundant sentences derived from copy-paste
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageThere are some errors in the form, furthermore, the paper must be checked again for the presence of typing errors and the presence of redundant sentences derived from copy-paste.
Author Response
We have diligently reviewed all feedback provided by the reviewers and have responded to each comment with precision. We appreciate your thoughtful comments.
- Reviewer 2
[Comment 1] How did the authors choose chlorogenic acid and taurine concentrations, used in the tests? Was a dose-response curve of the substances performed beforehand?
[Response 1] In preliminary experiments, we tested various combinations and concentrations of chlorogenic acid and taurine. Rather than simply increasing the concentration, we found that the efficacy was enhanced at specific combinations of concentrations. Therefore, we conducted the experiments included in this paper at the optimal effective concentrations.
[Comment 2] Same question regarding the choice of CFU/ml of C.Acnes used in the tests?
[Response 2] We selected a CFU/ml concentration of C. acnes that could induce stimulation without causing cell death in skin cells.
[Comment 3] The data presented in Fig. 1A and 1B are not clear, due to the choice of combining 14 graphs for each figure, collecting the data in a table would make it easier to read and evaluate the significance of the data.
[Response 3] Fig 1A has been replaced with Table 1 to improve clarity, and significance levels have been marked.
[Comment 4] In Figure 1: is the photo of the Non-acneic skin subject filtered? The photo's contrast, exposure, and brightness are different compared to the photo of the Acneic skin subject.
[Response 4] We replaced the image with the original one in Fig1. The original images were polarized images captured using a Janus device (PIE Ltd., Korea). While polarized images were selected as they better highlighted acneic features, we replaced them with natural light images for both, as suggested by the reviewer.
[Comment 5] Again in Fig. 1B, the authors do not discuss the data of MCP1 protein expression which has a similar trend to TIMP2.
[Response 5] While MCP-1 expression was indeed quite high and exhibited a similar pattern to TIMP-2, we observed that its regulation by C. acnes subtypes was less pronounced and less significant compared to TIMP-2 or IL-8. As such, we have opted to reserve interpretation of this finding for now. However, as suggested by the reviewer, MCP-1 plays a central role in the inflammatory response as a monocyte chemoattractant. We have added additional discussion on the significance of MCP-1 in the line 378.
[Comment 6] In Fig. 3B the fluorescence images of Claudin are poorly defined. Furthermore, the image analysis method used is not indicated.
[Response 6] We decided to display a representative portion of the claudin image for easier identification. Details of the image analysis method are provided in line 175.
[Comment 7] The gene expression obtained in Real Time PCR for IL1a; IL1b; IL6; HAS3 and AQP3 should be confirmed in WB.
[Response 7] To corroborate the results of the real-time PCR, we quantified the protein levels of IL1a, IL1b, and IL6 using ELISA, and the changes in protein levels of HAS3 were quantified using Western blotting. Unfortunately, due to the unavailability of an AQP3 antibody, we were unable to obtain the antibody and conduct the experiment within the given revision period (10 days).
[Comment 8] In Fig.5B the skin density value was evaluated for all the subjects of the study.
[Response 8] The data shown in the first panel of Fig. 5b represent the results obtained from all subjects in the study.
[Comment 9] The introductory part presented by the authors is sufficiently supported by a recent bibliography.
[Response 9] We have strengthened the logic in the introduction section with recent references.
[Comment 10] The results are exposed while the choice of statistical calculation with only the Student's test could be integrated with analysis of variance.
[Response 10] Thank you for your advice. We have conducted statistical tests appropriate for each assay.
[Comment 11] The conclusive part and the discussion could be increased.
[Response 11] A separate conclusion section has been added, and the discussion section has been enhanced in line 421.
[Comment 12] The paper must be checked again for the presence of typing errors and the presence of redundant sentences derived from copy-paste
[Response 12] We have corrected the typing errors.
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThanks to the authors for making changes to the manuscript. The overall quality has improved and in my opinion the manuscript can be accepted for publication.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageMinor eding.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear Authors, considering the timely answers to the requested questions, I believe that Ms climb-3123712 can be accepted.
