X-Message-Number: 24141
Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 18:52:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: curious reversal of skin aging

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2004 May;59(5):B411-B415
Aging of Human Epidermis: Reversal of Aging Changes Correlates With
Reversal of Keratinocyte Fas Expression and Apoptosis.
  The goal of this study was to determine the role of Fas-mediated
apoptosis in human epidermal aging. Epidermal Fas expression and
apoptosis are increased in aged human skin. Aging changes of human
epidermis, including decreased epidermal thickness and proliferation, are
reversed following grafting of human skin to SCID (severe combined
immunodeficiency) mice. Skin from aged participants (n = 14; mean 70.7
years), and young participants (n = 14; mean 23.4 years) was grafted to
beige SCID mice, and epidermal thickness, proliferation (Ki-67
expression), apoptosis (TUNEL [Tdt-mediated dUTP nick end labeling]
reaction below granular layer), and expression of Fas and FasL were
determined by histology and immunochemical staining. Aged skin was
associated with thinning of the epidermis, decreased epidermal
proliferation, a significant increase in apoptosis below the granular
layer, and epidermal Fas expression. Engraftment significantly reversed
these aging changes, including apoptosis, and Fas expression. Correlation
of reversal of aging changes, with decreased epidermal Fas expression and
apoptosis, supports a role for Fas-mediated apoptosis in aging of human
epidermis.

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