Scientists have identified a key protein in the mechanism of skin aging. It would make it possible to keep it young, by helping the strong cells of the epidermis to drive out the weaker ones.
Have scientists found the Fountain of Youth, a symbol of perpetual rejuvenation? They are still a long way off. But they reveal day by day the mechanisms of skin aging, allowing the development of increasingly effective treatments and cosmetics. In a study, published in the review Nature this Wednesday, April 3 and relayed by theAFPProfessors Ganna Bilousova and James DeGregori from the University of Colorado (USA) describe the potential of a protein, “COL17A1. It would play a key role in the maturation of the epidermis.
Researchers at the University of Medicine in Tokyo (Japan) have indeed discovered that this molecule encourages a phenomenon, called cell competition. This is a process that allows stronger cells to gain the upper hand over weaker ones. Only, with age, UV rays, attacks on the skin, the protein is depleted in the body. The weaker cells take over. The skin becomes thinner, more fragile, and takes longer to heal.
Prevent exhaustion of COL17A1
The scientists carried out their experiments on mouse tails, as they share characteristics with human epidermis. Once the importance of COL17A1 was revealed, they looked for a way to stimulate it. The goal? Prevent its exhaustion, and therefore, in theory, slow down the degradation of the skin. They finally managed to identify two chemical compounds, Y27632 and apocynin, which made it possible to re-induce the expression of the protein. And thus, to successfully improve the ability of skin stem cells to regenerate.
“Both chemicals enhance wound healing in mouse tail skin, providing a proof-of-principle of the therapeutic potential of this new class of drugs”, note the researchers in their study. Until then, the mechanism of cell competition had mainly been studied in flies. “Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms of cellular competition in other tissues, and to identify compounds capable of reversing aging in other organs”they conclude.
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