title: Role of Age-Associated Alterations of the Dermal Extracellular Matrix Microenvironment in Human Skin Aging: A Mini-Review.
abstract: Human skin is largely composed of a collagen-rich connective tissue, which provides structural and functional support. The collagen-rich connective tissue is produced, organized, and maintained by dermal fibroblasts. During aging, dermal collagen fibrils undergo progressive loss and fragmentation, leading to thin and structurally weakened skin. Age-related alterations of collagen fibrils impairs skin structure and function and creates a tissue microenvironment that promotes age-related skin diseases, such as delayed wound healing and skin cancer development. This mini-review describes cellular mechanisms that give rise to self-perpetuating, collagen fibril fragmentation that creates an age-associated dermal microenvironment, which contributes to decline of human skin function.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA.
authors: Taihao
authors: T
authors: Quan
authors: Gary J
authors: GJ
authors: Fisher
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055515:Cysteine-Rich Protein 61 / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C501848:CCN1 protein, human; D055515:Cysteine-Rich Protein 61; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases