Cited by 20Skin Protection and AgingDermatology and Skin DiseasesGenomics, phytochemicals, and oxidative stress

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Potentiates an Anti-Inflammaging System in Keratinocytes

Open access
Yan, Xianghong, Tsuji, Gaku, Hashimoto-Hachiya, Akiko, Furue, Masutaka·2022·Journal of Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Skincare products play a crucial role in preventing the dry skin induced by various causes. Certain ingredients can help to improve the efficacy of skincare products. Galactomyces ferment filtrate (GFF) is such a functional ingredient. Its use originated from the empirical observation that the hands of sake brewers who deal with yeast fermentation retain a beautiful and youthful appearance. Consequently, skincare products based on GFF are widely used throughout the world. Recent studies have demonstrated that GFF activates an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and upregulates the expression of filaggrin, a pivotal endogenous source of natural moisturizing factors, in epidermal keratinocytes. It also activates nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2), the antioxidative master transcription factor, and exhibits potent antioxidative activity against oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet irradiation and proinflammatory cytokines, which also accelerate inflammaging. GFF-mediated NRF2 activation downregulates the expression of CDKN2A, which is known to be overexpressed in senescent keratinocytes. Moreover, GFF enhances epidermal terminal differentiation by upregulating the expression of caspase-14, claudin-1, and claudin-4. It also promotes the synthesis of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-37 and downregulates the expression of proallergic cytokine IL-33 in keratinocytes. In addition, GFF downregulates the expression of the CXCL14 and IL6R genes, which are involved in inflammaging. These beneficial properties might underpin the potent barrier-protecting and anti-inflammaging effects of GFF-containing skin formulae.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review synthesizes evidence that Galactomyces ferment filtrate (GFF), a cosmetic ingredient, acts as a dual agonist of AHR and NRF2 in keratinocytes, upregulating barrier proteins and antioxidative enzymes while downregulating inflammaging-related genes. The authors propose GFF as an antioxidative cosmetic AHR-modulating agent with barrier-protecting and anti-inflammaging properties.

Key findings

  • GFF activates AHR, driving nuclear translocation and upregulating filaggrin and loricrin; this is AHR-dependent since knockdown of AHR abrogates filaggrin induction, and GFF counteracts IL-4/IL-13-mediated downregulation of filaggrin and loricrin.
  • GFF induces NRF2 nuclear translocation and upregulates GPX2, NQO1, and HMOX1; it ameliorates TNF-α-, UVB-, and IL-13-induced ROS production in keratinocytes. GFF-induced CDKN2A (p16INK4A) downregulation is NRF2-dependent, and AHR knockdown partially ameliorates GFF-NRF2-mediated NQO1 induction.
  • GFF upregulates caspase-14 and tight-junction molecules (claudin-1, claudin-4, occludin, ZO-1), enhancing cell–cell attachment and permeability barrier as measured by increased transepithelial electric resistance (TER); claudin-1/4 upregulation appears AHR-independent.
  • GFF upregulates antiinflammatory IL-37 in an AHR-dependent manner, which downregulates proallergic IL-33 (cancelled by AHR or IL-37 knockdown), and downregulates CXCL14 and IL6R genes linked to inflammaging.

Methods

This is a narrative review; no primary experiments are reported. It synthesizes prior in vitro studies of GFF-treated human keratinocytes (and some melanocyte/sebocyte data) examining AHR, NRF2, filaggrin, caspase-14, claudins, IL-37/IL-33, CXCL14, and IL6R, alongside referenced clinical trials of GFF-containing moisturizers and of therapeutic AHR-modulating agents (tapinarof, coal tar, glyteer).

Limitations

The authors state that the in-depth cellular mechanisms of GFF activity have not been fully elucidated in keratinocytes, and that the biological significance of GFF in melanocytes and sebocytes remains unclear. Evident from the text: this is a review without new primary data, and several mechanistic claims rest on cited prior studies rather than experiments performed here; the physiological relevance of caspase-14 upregulation is described as uncertain.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3390/jcm11216338

Cites

124 of 124 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

19 of 50 cited sources checked · 9 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    GFF activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR).

    “Recent studies have demonstrated that GFF activates an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)”
    • Also stated in: § 2. Moisturizers and Their Ingredients · boosted
      “it has been demonstrated to operate as a potent antioxidative AHR agonist [10,55,56].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [10] Furue, M., Uchi, H., Mitoma, C., Hashimoto-Hachiya, A., Chiba, T., Ito, T., Nakahara, T., and Tsuji, G. (2017). Antioxidants for healthy skin: The emerging role of aryl hydrocarbon receptors and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2. Nutrients, 9. source
    • cites [55] Takei, 2015, Galactomyces fermentation filtrate prevents T helper 2-mediated reduction of filaggrin in an aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent manner, Clin. Exp. Dermatol. source
    • cites [56] Tsuji, 2019, Antioxidants cinnamaldehyde and Galactomyces fermentation filtrate downregulate senescence marker CDKN2A/p16INK4A via NRF2 activation in keratinocytes, J. Dermatol. Sci. source
  • Premisecitation

    GFF operates as a potent antioxidative AHR agonist.

    “it has been demonstrated to operate as a potent antioxidative AHR agonist [10,55,56].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [10] Furue, M., Uchi, H., Mitoma, C., Hashimoto-Hachiya, A., Chiba, T., Ito, T., Nakahara, T., and Tsuji, G. (2017). Antioxidants for healthy skin: The emerging role of aryl hydrocarbon receptors and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2. Nutrients, 9. source

      Section 4.2.2 describes Galactomyces fermentation filtrate (GFF) as an AHR stimulant. It reports antioxidant activity when GFF is combined with epigallocatechin gallate, but does not describe GFF alone as potently antioxidative or quantify its AHR-agonist potency. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [55] Takei, 2015, Galactomyces fermentation filtrate prevents T helper 2-mediated reduction of filaggrin in an aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent manner, Clin. Exp. Dermatol. source
    • cites [56] Tsuji, 2019, Antioxidants cinnamaldehyde and Galactomyces fermentation filtrate downregulate senescence marker CDKN2A/p16INK4A via NRF2 activation in keratinocytes, J. Dermatol. Sci. source
  • Premisecitation

    GFF upregulates the expression of the SLPI gene.

    “Notably, it is reported that GFF upregulated the expression of the SLPI gene [81].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [81] Nakajima, A., Sakae, N., Yan, X., Hakozaki, T., Zhao, W., Laughlin, T., and Furue, M. (2022). Transcriptomic analysis of human keratinocytes treated with Galactomyces ferment filtrate, a beneficial cosmetic ingredient. J. Clin. Med., 11. source
  • Premisecitation

    GFF significantly ameliorates TNF-α-induced production of ROS in human keratinocytes.

    “GFF significantly ameliorates both TNF-α-induced [10] and UVB-induced [76] production of ROS in human keratinocytes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [10] Furue, M., Uchi, H., Mitoma, C., Hashimoto-Hachiya, A., Chiba, T., Ito, T., Nakahara, T., and Tsuji, G. (2017). Antioxidants for healthy skin: The emerging role of aryl hydrocarbon receptors and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2. Nutrients, 9. source

      Section 4.2.2 (page unavailable) reports that Galactomyces fermentation filtrate (GFF) and epigallocatechin gallate have synergistic antioxidant activity against TNF-α-induced ROS production. It does not establish that GFF alone significantly reduces that production in human keratinocytes. (LLM, conf=0.83)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    GFF upregulates IL-37 expression in human keratinocytes in an AHR-dependent fashion.

    “Notably, GFF upregulated IL-37 expression in human keratinocytes in an AHR-dependent fashion [116] (Figure 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [116] Tsuji, 2022, Natural compounds tapinarof and Galactomyces ferment filtrate downregulate IL-33 via the AHR/IL-37 axis in human keratinocytes, Front. Immunol. source
  • May combine two claims. 9
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 1
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Topical application of GFF PiteraTM improves intraday fluctuations in facial redness, skin roughness, and hair pore size.

    “Clinical trials have also shown that the topical application of GFF Pitera™ improves intraday fluctuations in facial redness, skin roughness, and hair pore size [46].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [46] Miyamoto, K., Dissanayake, B., Omotezako, T., Takemura, M., Tsuji, G., and Furue, M. (2021). Daily fluctuation of facial pore area, roughness and redness among young Japanese women; Beneficial effects of Galactomyces ferment filtrate containing antioxidative skin care formula. J. Clin. Med., 10. source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    GFF-containing moisturizers increase skin hydration and reduce TEWL.

    “GFF-containing moisturizers are capable of increasing skin hydration and reducing TEWL [46,54].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [46] Miyamoto, K., Dissanayake, B., Omotezako, T., Takemura, M., Tsuji, G., and Furue, M. (2021). Daily fluctuation of facial pore area, roughness and redness among young Japanese women; Beneficial effects of Galactomyces ferment filtrate containing antioxidative skin care formula. J. Clin. Med., 10. source

      The Discussion reports that the GFF-formulated product increased skin hydration in the study, and the Clinical Study Protocol describes measuring hydration at the cheek. Our copy does not report that the product reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL); the TEWL mention found is in a reference title, not a finding of this study. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [54] Miyamoto, K., Munakata, Y., Yan, X., Tsuji, G., and Furue, M. (2022). Enhanced fluctuations in facial pore size, redness, and TEWL caused by mask usage are normalized by the application of a moisturizer. J. Clin. Med., 11. source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    GFF increases the expression of claudin-1, claudin-4, occludin, and ZO-1 in keratinocytes.

    “Notably, GFF increases the expression of claudin-1, claudin-4, occludin, and ZO-1 in keratinocytes [55,81,100] (Figure 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [55] Takei, 2015, Galactomyces fermentation filtrate prevents T helper 2-mediated reduction of filaggrin in an aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent manner, Clin. Exp. Dermatol. source
    • cites [81] Nakajima, A., Sakae, N., Yan, X., Hakozaki, T., Zhao, W., Laughlin, T., and Furue, M. (2022). Transcriptomic analysis of human keratinocytes treated with Galactomyces ferment filtrate, a beneficial cosmetic ingredient. J. Clin. Med., 11. source

      The Results report that all three GFF lots significantly increased CLDN1 and CLDN4 gene expression in human keratinocytes (section 3; page unavailable). The paper does not report increased expression of occludin or ZO-1, so it supports only two of the four molecules named. (LLM, conf=0.90)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [100] Wong, 2011, Up-regulation of tight junction-related proteins and increase of human epidermal keratinocytes barrier function by Saccharomycosis ferment filtrate, J. Cosm. Dermatol. Sci. Appl. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    GFF activates the AHR-NRF2 signaling pathway, because AHR knockdown partially ameliorates the GFF-NRF2-mediated induction of NQO1.

    “GFF is also known to activate the AHR–NRF2 signaling pathway, because knockdown of AHR partially ameliorates the GFF-NRF2-mediated induction of NQO1 [76].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [76] Takei, 2014, Galactomyces ferment filtrate (Pitera) inhibits UVB-induced ROS production by Ahr/NRrf2/Nqo1 signaling, Aesthet, Dermatol.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    GFF upregulates the expression of the antioxidative enzyme GPX2 in keratinocytes, and this upregulation is abrogated by NRF2 knockdown.

    “GFF upregulates the expression of the antioxidative enzyme GPX2 in keratinocytes, which is abrogated by NRF2 knockdown [56].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [56] Tsuji, 2019, Antioxidants cinnamaldehyde and Galactomyces fermentation filtrate downregulate senescence marker CDKN2A/p16INK4A via NRF2 activation in keratinocytes, J. Dermatol. Sci. source
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The GFF-AHR axis upregulates filaggrin production and induces antiinflammatory IL-37, with subsequent downregulation of proallergic IL-33.

    “The GFF–AHR axis upregulates filaggrin production and induces the expression of antiinflammatory IL-37, with subsequent downregulation of the expression of proallergic IL-33.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    GFF is a functional moisturizing ingredient with TAMA-like activity.

    “Considering its active AHR-stimulating potency, GFF is a functional moisturizing ingredient with TAMA-like activity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The GFF-NRF2 axis provides a potent antioxidative effect and is probably beneficial in preventing inflammaging, partly through downregulation of CDKN2A.

    “The GFF–NRF2 axis provides a potent antioxidative effect and is probably beneficial in preventing inflammaging, partly through the downregulation of CDKN2A.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The molecular effects of GFF observed in cultured keratinocytes translate to clinical benefits in human skin, including anti-inflammaging and anti-aging.
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    AHR knockdown partially downregulates occludin expression but does not affect claudin-1 or claudin-4 expression.

    “The knockdown of AHR partially downregulates the expression of occludin, whereas it does not affect the expression of claudin-1 or claudin-4 [55].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [55] Takei, 2015, Galactomyces fermentation filtrate prevents T helper 2-mediated reduction of filaggrin in an aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent manner, Clin. Exp. Dermatol. source
9 of 9
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The molecular effects of GFF observed in cultured keratinocytes translate to clinical benefits in human skin, including anti-inflammaging and anti-aging.

    “Considering its antioxidative, barrier-protecting, and anti-inflammaging/antisenescence properties, GFF can be considered a potent cosmetic agent for preventing and repairing skin damage caused by various external and internal insults, and for maintaining healthy, youthful-appearing skin by retarding skin aging.”
1 of 1

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Cites

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1 of the 125 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Takei, 2014, Galactomyces ferment filtrate (Pitera) inhibits UVB-induced ROS production by Ahr/NRrf2/Nqo1 signaling, Aesthet, Dermatol., 24, 342

Cited by

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Authors
Yan, X., Tsuji, G., Hashimoto-Hachiya, A., & Furue, M.
Affiliations
  • Procter & Gamble Japan K.K. (Japan) (JP)
  • Kyushu University (JP)
  • Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Corresponding author
Yan, Xianghong
Venue
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-10-27
Volume
11
Issue
21
Pages
6338
ISSN
2077-0383 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4307703865
Cited by
20
References
125
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6
FWCI
0.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics, phytochemicals, and oxidative stress
Keywords
inflammaging, keratinocytes, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, Nrf2, filaggrin, natural moisturizing factor, oxidative stress, UV damage, CDKN2A, cellular senescence, terminal differentiation, CASP14, claudins, IL-37, IL-33, IL-6 receptor, CXCL14, skin barrier, skin care ingredients, dry skin

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