Age-dependent alterations of decorin glycosaminoglycans in human skin.
Proteoglycans, a family of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) conjugated proteins, are important constituents of human skin connective tissue (dermis) and are essential for maintaining mechanical strength of the skin. Age-related alterations of dermal proteoglycans have not been fully elucidated. We quantified transcripts of 20 known interstitial proteoglycans in human skin and found that decorin was the most highly expressed. Decorin was predominantly produced by dermal fibroblasts. Decorin was localized in dermal extracellular matrix with GAG bound to type I collagen fibrils. Analysis of decorin extracted from young (21-30 years) and aged (>80 years) sun-protected human buttock skin revealed that decorin molecular size in aged skin is significantly smaller than in young skin. The average size of decorin protein did not alter, indicating size of GAG chain is reduced in aged, compared to young skin. This age-dependent alteration of decorin GAG may contribute to skin fragility of elderly people.
Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Yong
Y
Li
Ying
Y
Liu
Wei
W
Xia
Dan
D
Lei
John J
JJ
Voorhees
Gary J
GJ
Fisher
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D058575:Decorin / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
D058575:Decorin; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans