Stem cell stimulating compositions and methods

Abstract

The inventive subject is directed towards ready-to-use topical cosmetic formulations that include at least one defensin present in sub-antimicrobially effective concentrations. Surprisingly, even at such low concentrations, defensins recruit LGR6+ stem cells from hair follicles to the interfollicular space. Including defensins in the inventive topical cosmetic formulations may reduce one or more of wrinkle depth, wrinkle length, wrinkle width, pore size, irregularity in texture of a skin surface, oiliness, brown spots, and red spots in non-injured skin, thus reducing apparent age.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit comprising:
 a treatment formulation in the form of a cream, a serum, a gel, a solution, an emulsion, an oil, an ointment, a suspension, an aerosol spray, an aerosol powder, a powder, a mousse, a rinse, and a semi-solid formulation, or a lotion, wherein the treatment formulation comprises a first defensin at a sub-antimicrobially effective concentration, wherein the first defensin comprises alpha-defensin 1, alpha-defensin 5, alpha-defensin 6, neutrophil defensin 1, neutrophil defensin 2, neutrophil defensin 3, neutrophil defensin 4, theta-defensin, beta-defensin 1, beta-defensin 2, beta-defensin 3, or beta-defensin 4; and   an instruction for use.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is in the form of a cream. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is in the form of a serum. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is in the form of a gel. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is in the form of a solution, an emulsion, an oil, an ointment, a suspension, an aerosol spray, an aerosol powder, a powder, a mousse, a rinse, and a semi-solid formulation. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is in the form of a lotion. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first defensin is present in the treatment formulation at a concentration effective to recruit LGR6+ cells to an interfollicular space in a non-injured skin. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first defensin comprises alpha-defensin 5 or beta-defensin 3. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation further comprises a second defensin, wherein the second defensin is different from the first defensin. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the second defensin is present in the treatment formulation at a sub-antimicrobially effective concentration. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the second defensin is present in the treatment formulation at a concentration effective to recruit LGR6+ cells to an interfollicular space in a non-injured skin. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the second defensin comprises alpha-defensin 1, alpha-defensin 5, alpha-defensin 6, neutrophil defensin 1, neutrophil defensin 2, neutrophil defensin 3, neutrophil defensin 4, theta-defensin, beta-defensin 1, beta-defensin 2, beta-defensin 3, or beta-defensin 4. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation improves skin hydration in a subject. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation improves skin barrier or repair skin barrier in a subject. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation enhances firmness of a skin of a subject. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is applied to hands of a subject 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is applied a body of a subject. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is applied to a face of a subject. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is applied to a neck of a subject. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is applied to around eyes of a subject. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment formulation is massaged onto a skin of the subject.