title: The role of cytokines in skin aging.
abstract: Cutaneous aging is one of the major noticeable menopausal complications that most women want to fight in their quest for an eternally youthful skin appearance. It may contribute to some maladies that occur in aging which, despite not being life-threatening, affect the well-being, psychological state and quality of life of aged women. Skin aging is mainly affected by three factors: chronological aging, decreased levels of estrogen after menopause, and environmental factors. Aged skin is characterized by a decrease in collagen content and skin thickness which result in dry, wrinkled skin that is easily bruised and takes a longer time to heal. Cytokines play a crucial role in the manifestation of these features of old skin. The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibits collagen synthesis and enhances collagen degradation by increasing the production of MMP-9. It also lowers the skin immunity and thus increases the risk of cutaneous infections in old age. Deranged levels of several interleukins and interferons also affect the aging process. The high level of CCN1 protein in aged skin gives dermal fibroblasts an 'age-associated secretory phenotype' that causes abnormal homeostasis of skin collagen and leads to the loss of the function and integrity of skin. Further research is required especially to establish the role of cytokines in the treatment of cutaneous aging.
authors: * Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Borg
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Brincat
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Camilleri
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Schembri-Wismayer
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Brincat
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Calleja-Agius
mesh_terms: D055511:CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002453:Cell Cycle; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000502:physiology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology; D015603:Keratinocytes; D008593:Menopause; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D055511:CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007372:Interferons