*Article* **Bioactive Low Molecular Weight Keratin Hydrolysates for Improving Skin Wound Healing**

**Laura Olariu 1,2, Brindusa Georgiana Dumitriu <sup>1</sup> , Carmen Gaidau 3,\* , Maria Stanca <sup>3</sup> , Luiza Mariana Tanase <sup>1</sup> , Manuela Diana Ene <sup>1</sup> , Ioana-Rodica Stanculescu 4,5 and Cristina Tablet 5,6**


**Abstract:** Keratin biomaterials with high molecular weights were intensively investigated but few are marketed due to complex methods of extraction and preparation and limited understanding of their influence on cells behavior. In this context the aim of this research was to elucidate decisive molecular factors for skin homeostasis restoration induced by two low molecular weight keratin hydrolysates extracted and conditioned through a simple and green method. Two keratin hydrolysates with molecular weights of 3758 and 12,400 Da were physico-chemically characterized and their structure was assessed by circular dichroism (CD) and FTIR spectroscopy in view of bioactive potential identification. Other investigations were focused on several molecular factors: α1, α2 and β1 integrin mediated signals, cell cycle progression in pro-inflammatory conditions (TNFα/LPS stimulated keratinocytes and fibroblasts) and ICAM-1/VCAM-1 inhibition in human vascular endothelial cells. Flow cytometry techniques demonstrated a distinctive pattern of efficacy: keratin hydrolysates over-expressed α1 and α2 subunits, responsible for tight bounds between fibroblasts and collagen or laminin 1; both actives stimulated the epidermal turn-over and inhibited VCAM over-expression in pro-inflammatory conditions associated with bacterial infections. Our results offer mechanistic insights in wound healing signaling factors modulated by the two low molecular weight keratin hydrolysates which still preserve bioactive secondary structure.

**Keywords:** keratin hydrolysate; bioactive keratin; skin homeostasis restoration; skin wound healing
