A novel anti‐ageing mechanism for retinol: induction of dermal elastin synthesis and elastin fibre formation

Abstract

Dermal elastic fibres are extracellular matrix protein complexes produced by fibroblasts and involved in skin elasticity. Elastin fibres decrease with age as a result of reduced synthesis and increased degradation, resulting in skin sagging and reduced skin elasticity. In this study, we show that retinol (ROL), known to enhance dermal collagen production, is also enhancing elastin fibre formation. ROL induced elastin gene expression and elastin fibre formation in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. Topical treatment of cultured human skin explants with a low dose (0.04%) of ROL increased mRNA and protein levels of tropoelastin and of fibrillin-1, an elastin accessory protein, as documented by QPCR and immunohistochemistry staining. Luna staining confirmed the increased elastin fibre network in the ROL-treated skin explants, as compared with untreated controls. These data demonstrate that ROL exerts its anti-ageing benefits not only via enhanced epidermal proliferation and increased collagen production, but also through an increase in elastin production and assembly.

Elastin structure and its involvement in skin photoageing

“…Synthesized by fibroblasts and keratinocytes, elastin provides support to the blood vessels, lungs and skin [30,37,38].…”

“…Tropoelastin is a 70 000-72 000 dalton polypeptide secreted as a soluble protein and is then cross-linked by the enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) that consequently leads to the formation of mature fibres [30,47]. The polymerization of tropoelastin requires an initial step of oxidative deamination of lysine residues catalysed by a lysyl oxidase.…”

“…Dermal ageing includes dermal thinning, as a result of a decrease in fibroblast number, reduced collagen synthesis and increased UV-induced collagen degradation [30]. Additionally, the dermal elastin network is destroyed and consequently occurs loss of elasticity, which is directly related to the reduced synthesis of elastin and increased degradation or destructuring of elastic fibres.…”

“…Additionally, the dermal elastin network is destroyed and consequently occurs loss of elasticity, which is directly related to the reduced synthesis of elastin and increased degradation or destructuring of elastic fibres. All this process may cause sagging and greater predisposition for the appearance of wrinkles and cellulite [30][31][32].…”

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of Bovine CYP26A1 Promoter

“…RA is also a critical regulator of embryo development [2,17,30] and RA generated anterior and posterior axis by acting as an intercellular signal during early embryonic stages [2,9]. Some RAs are now in uses in cosmetic ingredient as antioxidant in anti-aging products [27], and RAs are used in treating dermatological problems such as acne and wrinkles [20].…”