Fragility in Aged Skin — It's Not the Fibroblasts

Local factors make skin fibroblasts behave differently in older people.

The skin of elderly patients is thin, partly because it contains less collagen. The production of collagen by fibroblasts is regulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Chronologically aged skin produces less type 1 procollagen, and this loss of collagen causes increased skin fragility, impaired wound healing, and, alas, facial wrinkles.

A research group has now showed that, in contrast to their status in young fibroblasts, TGF-β, CTGF, and type I procollagen were all downregulated in fibroblasts from aged human skin. However, when both aged-derived and youth-derived fibroblasts were cultured, the expression levels of TGF-β, CTGF, and type I procollagen did not differ. Apparently, local facto…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

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Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)