Study Reveals Cytoskeleton as Key Component in Aging Dermal Fibroblasts

A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 16 on August 27, 2024, entitled, "Proteomic and secretomic comparison of young and aged dermal fibroblasts highlights cytoskeleton as a key component during aging."

As noted in the abstract of this paper, dermal fibroblasts orchestrate the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix components, which is crucial for skin homeostasis. Alterations in the expression of components such as collagens and enzymes can lead to reduced mechanical cutaneous tension and impaired skin wound healing during aging.

Researchers Françoise Boismal, Sandy Peltier, Sophie Ly ka so, Guillaume Chevreux, Loïse Blondel, Kévin Serror, Niclas Setterblab, Elina Zuelgaray, David Boccara, Maurice Mimoun, Christelle Guere, Armand Benssussan, Marie Dorr, Gallic Beauchef, Katell Vie, and Laurence Michel from Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris; Paris University, Paris Cité; Jacques-Monod Institute, Paris; and Clarins Laboratories, Pontoise, aimed to better understand the molecular alterations in fibroblasts during aging. They compared secretomic and proteomic signatures of fibroblasts from young (<35 years) and aged (>55 years) skin donors, in quiescent and TGF-stimulated conditions, using HLPC/MS.

This study revealed a significant decrease in fibroblast protein secretion with age and an enhancement of more than 60% of cytoplasmic protein accumulation.

"Our present data reinforce knowledge about an age-related alteration in the synthesis of major proteins linked to the migratory and contractile functions of dermal human fibroblasts."