Results from study published in the British Journal of Dermatology strongly suggested R115866 potentiates the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on epidermal keratinocytes when RA is present at low concentrations (2009;160(3):505-13).
Researchers analyzed heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), involucrin and keratin 10 mRNA and protein levels in autocrine human keratinocyte cultures incubated for 18 hours with RA or R115866 alone, and with RA and R115866 combinations.
RA induced HB-EGF and involucrin expression in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas it inhibited keratin 10 expression. R115866 alone had no effect on the expression of these genes; however, when R115866 was combined with low concentrations of RA, HB-EGF and involucrin expression was induced.