Abstract: The invention relates to substances which are capable of protecting FGF-2, to a composition for preventing or controlling degradation of FGF-2, and a method of protecting FGF-2 in the skin from degradation. In particular, the invention relates to an extract of Hibiscus Abelmoschus or ambrette, a rebokza extract, a gougizi berry extract, a banha extract, a lessonia extract, a mustard flour extract, a wooyin extract, a barley extract, and/or a sesame extract, in amounts effective to protect FGF-2 from its degradation. Further, the present invention allows the extracellular matrix to be restructured, particularly at the dermis, which is useful, for example, for controlling aging.

Abstract: The disclosed substance restores normal co-expression and interaction between the LOX and NRAGE proteins. Particularly, an effective amount of the substance that modulates the expression and/or activity of LOX of SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or that modulates the expression and/or activity of NRAGE of SEQ ID NO: 2, may be used for the manufacture of a composition for modulating the interaction between the LOX and NRAGE proteins to regulate the balance between the cellular phenomena of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, particularly in cases where the balance between these phenomena is disturbed, and especially in cases where the interaction between LOX and NRAGE is absent or altered. The invention makes it possible especially to treat and/or prevent skin ageing, lichen planus, graft-versus-host reaction (GVH), eczema, psoriasis and a cancer, particularly an epithelial cancer and more particularly a cutaneous epithelial cancer of basocellular or spinocellular type.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a substance for restoring normal co-expression and interaction between the LOX and NRAGE proteins. The invention relates in particular to the use of an effective amount of at least one substance that modulates the expression and/or activity of the LOX of SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or that modulates the expression and/or activity of the NRAGE of SEQ ID NO: 2 for modulating the interaction between the LOX and NRAGE proteins to regulate the balance between the cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, particularly in cases where the balance between these phenomena is disturbed, and especially in cases where the interaction between LOX and NRAGE is absent or altered. The invention makes it possible to treat skin ageing, lichen planus, graft-versus-host reaction (GVH), eczema, psoriasis and a cancer, particularly an epithelial cancer and more particularly a cutaneous epithelial cancer of basocellular or spinocellular type.

Abstract: The disclosed substance restores normal co-expression and interaction between the LOX and NRAGE proteins. Particularly, an effective amount of the substance that modulates the expression and/or activity of LOX of SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or that modulates the expression and/or activity of NRAGE of SEQ ID NO: 2, may be used for the manufacture of a composition for modulating the interaction between the LOX and NRAGE proteins to regulate the balance between the cellular phenomena of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, particularly in cases where the balance between these phenomena is disturbed, and especially in cases where the interaction between LOX and NRAGE is absent or altered. The invention makes it possible especially to treat and/or prevent skin ageing, lichen planus, graft-versus-host reaction (GVH), eczema, psoriasis and a cancer, particularly an epithelial cancer and more particularly a cutaneous epithelial cancer of basocellular or spinocellular type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substance for restoring normal co-expression and interaction between the LOX and NRAGE proteins. The invention relates in particular to the use of an effective amount of at least one substance that modulates the expression and/or activity of LOX of sequence ID no. 1, and/or that modulates the expression and/or activity of NRAGE of sequence ID no. 2, for the manufacture of a composition for modulating the interaction between the LOX and NRAGE proteins in order to regulate the balance between the cellular phenomena of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, particularly in cases where the balance between these phenomena is disturbed, and especially in cases where the interaction between LOX and NRAGE is absent or altered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing Langerhans cells or interstitial dendritic cells or both from CD14+ monocytes stemming from the peripheral circulatory blood of a living being, wherein the method comprises differentiation of CD 14+ monocytes into either Langerhans cells, interstitial dendritic cells, or into both types of cells by placing the CD14+ monocytes in the presence of a cell environment comprising epithelial cells and/or mesenchymatous cells. The present invention also relates to cell or tissue models comprising such prepared Langerhans cells and/or interstitial dendritic cells, and optionally macrophages and endothelial cells, and to the uses of such cell or tissue models.

Abstract: The invention concerns active substances modulating the expression of the receptors of the products of the POMC gene (MC-IR, MC-2R, and the ? opioid receptor), and possibly modulating the expression of POMC in cutaneous cells, notably to modulate the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells in order to re-epithelial, maintain innervation, irrigate the skin, or to fight against aging, or to modulate pigmentation independently or not of cutaneous aging. The invention also concerns a method of screening such active substances.

Abstract: The invention concerns active substances modulating the expression of the receptors of the products of the POMC gene (MC-IR, MC-2R, and the ? opioid receptor), and possibly modulating the expression of POMC in cutaneous cells, notably to modulate the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells in order to re-epithelial, maintain innervation, irrigate the skin, or restore normal pigmentation, or to fight against aging, or to modulate pigmentation independently or not of cutaneous aging. The invention also concerns a method of screening such active substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing Langerhans cells or interstitial dendritic cells, or both, from CD14+ monocytes stemming from the peripheral circulatory blood of a living being, wherein the method comprises differentiation of CD14+ monocytes into either Langerhans cells, interstitial dendritic cells, or into both types of cells by placing the CD14+ monocytes in the presence of a cell environment comprising epithelial cells and/or mesenchymatous cells. The present invention also relates to cell or tissue models comprising such prepared Langerhans cells and/or interstitial dendritic cells, and optionally macrophages and endothelial cells, and to the uses of such cell or tissue models.

Abstract: The invention relates to substances which are capable of protecting FGF-2, to a composition for preventing or controlling degradation of FGF-2, and a method of protecting FGF-2 in the skin from degradation. In particular, the invention relates to an extract of Hibiscus Abelmoschus or ambrette, a rebokza extract, a gougizi berry extract, a banha extract, a lessonia extract, a mustard flour extract, a wooyin extract, a barley extract, and/or a sesame extract, in amounts effective to protect FGF-2 from its degradation. Further, the present invention allows the extracellular matrix to be restructured, particularly at the dermis, which is useful, for example, for controlling aging.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of CD14+ monocytes for the production of dendritic cells. The invention comprises the use of CD14+ monocytes isolated from peripheral circulating blood for obtaining, by differentiation, at least one mixed population of Langerhans cells and interstitial dendritic cells, both Langerhans cells and interstitial dendritic cells being preconditioned and undifferentiated, and/or differentiated and immature, and/or mature, and/or interdigitated. The invention comprises their use in suspension, monolayer and three-dimensional cell and tissue models. The invention comprises the use of these cells and of these models as study models for the assessment of immunotoxicity/immunotolerance, for the development of cosmetic and pharmaceutical active principles and for the development and implementation of methods of cell and tissue therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to the stimulation of the activity of an isoform of lysyl oxidase, and more particularly of the LOX (lysyl oxidase) isoform.

Abstract: The method for producing microparticles is characterized in that it comprises the following steps: preparation of an emulsion of a solution of a substance or a mixture of substances in a dispersing liquid wherein said substance or said mixture are substantially insoluble; incorporating to said dispersed phase a chemical agent substantially insoluble in the dispersing liquid so as to cause within the dispersed phase a chemical or physicochemical reaction responsible for the formation of microparticles which are then isolated.

Abstract: A collagen-based composition including microcapsules of atelocollagen or of a mixture of atelocollagen and a polysaccharide, particularly glycosaminoglycan, suspended in a viscous biocompatible carrier solution. Together, the microcapsules and the viscous carrier solution preferably have a viscosity such that the composition may be injected, in particular as a continuous thread from a needle. Said composition is readily injectable and may be used as a soft or bony tissues filling material for, or as a system for the controlled delivery and release of biologically, cosmetically or pharmaceutically active substances.

Abstract: Particles, preparation methods therefor, and compositions containing same. The particles include at least one esterified polysaccharide and at least one polyamine, as well as at least one gellable polysaccharide when neither the esterified polysaccharide nor the polyamine can be gelled under the selected operating conditions. Said particle includes, at least on its surface, a membrane consisting of the product of the transacylation reaction between the esterified polysaccharide and said polyamine within an optionally gellable gel, said reaction causing the formation of covalent amide bonds. Such particles may be used to encapsulated various active principles useful in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and agri-foodstuffs, enzymes, cells and micro-organisms.