A team of scientists from the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) and the National Center for Genomic Analysis (CNAG) has made a significant discovery regarding the IL-17 protein’s role in skin aging. The groundbreaking study indicates that during aging, some immune cells in the skin express elevated IL-17 levels, leading to an inflammatory state. The researchers noted a delayed onset of aging symptoms such as poor hair follicle growth, increased transepidermal water loss, slow wound healing, and the presence of genetic aging markers when IL-17 was inhibited.
This discovery suggests that IL-17 is integral to the skin aging process, and its temporary inhibition could delay aging symptoms. The researchers plan to extend their research to examine IL-17’s role in the aging processes of other tissues and organs.
The IL-17 protein was identified as a key factor in skin aging by researchers from IRB Barcelona and CNAG. Blocking IL-17 function reduced the inflammatory state and delayed the emergence of age-related skin features. The study, published in the journal Nature Aging, has unveiled promising avenues for the development of therapies to ameliorate skin aging health.
The research conducted by Dr. Guiomar Solanas and Dr. Salvador Aznar Benitah from IRB Barcelona, along with Dr. Holger Heyn from CNAG, underscores the role of IL-17 in aging, linking it to inflammation.
Skin aging involves a series of changes that contribute to the skin’s deterioration and fragility. These changes are highlighted in the study, including the heightened expression of IL-17 in immune cells present in the skin.
Dr. Aznar Benitah explains, “Our findings indicate IL-17’s involvement in various aging functions. Blocking this protein slows down the emergence of several aging-related deficiencies. These insights provide new possibilities for treating some symptoms or facilitating post-surgery skin recovery.”
Dr. Holger Heyn elaborates, “Single cell sequencing has enabled us to understand the complexity of cell types in the skin and how these change during a lifespan. Notably, immune cells exhibit specific age-related profiles, which we could identify by analyzing thousands of individual cells at once.”
The study also examines the role of immune cells, inflammation, and aging. Immune cells play a crucial role in preventing infection and protecting the skin. During aging, some immune cells, including gamma delta T cells, innate lymphoid cells, and CD4+ T cells, increase significantly in the skin, expressing high levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17.
Dr. Paloma Solá, the paper’s first author, along with Dr. Elisabetta Mereu, now at the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, explains, “Aging is accompanied by mild, but persistent inflammation, characterized in the skin by a significant IL-17 increase, leading to skin deterioration.”
The study discovered that blocking IL-17 activity improved various aspects, including hair follicle growth, transepidermal water loss, wound healing, and genetic markers of aging. The development of these aging traits was significantly delayed after treatment.
However, Dr. Guiomar Solanas emphasizes that “IL-17 protein is crucial for essential body functions like defense against microbes and wound healing, so its permanent blockage is not feasible. But temporary inhibition offers benefits potentially beneficial therapeutically.”
The future work of these researchers will delve into understanding the aging processes associated with inflammatory states in the skin and their connection to IL-17. They also plan to explore if IL-17 contributes to the aging and deterioration of other tissues and organs.
The research, funded by several bodies including the European Research Council (ERC), the Government of Catalonia, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the Lilliane Bettencourt Foundation, the State Research Agency (AEI), and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), was published in Nature Aging.
Reference: “Targeting lymphoid-derived IL-17 signaling to delay skin aging” by Paloma Solá, Elisabetta Mereu, Júlia Bonjoch, Marta Casado-Peláez, Neus Prats, Mònica Aguilera, Oscar Reina, Enrique Blanco, Manel Esteller, Luciano Di Croce, Holger Heyn, Guiomar Solanas and Salvador Aznar Benitah, 8 June 2023, Nature Aging. DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00431-z
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about IL-17 protein and skin aging
What is the key finding of the recent skin aging study?
The study found that the IL-17 protein plays a crucial role in skin aging. During aging, certain immune cells in the skin express high IL-17 levels, leading to an inflammatory state and contributing to the skin aging process.
Who conducted this skin aging study?
The study was conducted by a team of scientists from the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) and the National Center for Genomic Analysis (CNAG).
What role does the IL-17 protein play in skin aging?
The IL-17 protein plays a crucial role in skin aging. The protein is expressed at high levels in certain immune cells in the skin during aging, contributing to an inflammatory state and the onset of various aging symptoms.
What happens when IL-17 protein is inhibited?
When the function of the IL-17 protein is blocked, the appearance of various deficiencies associated with aging skin is slowed down. These include impaired hair follicle growth, increased transepidermal water loss, slow wound healing, and the presence of genetic markers of aging.
What are the future research plans related to this study?
The researchers plan to extend their research to examine IL-17’s role in the aging processes of other tissues and organs. They will also further investigate the aging processes associated with inflammatory states in the skin and how these are linked to IL-17.
Where was the research published?
The research was published in the journal Nature Aging.
More about IL-17 protein and skin aging
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)
- National Center for Genomic Analysis (CNAG)
- Nature Aging Journal
- Information about IL-17 Protein
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute
5 comments
wow! never knew proteins could be so important in skin aging… could we maybe use this for anti-aging creams in the future??
Omg, this is like, super cool? I mean if they make a cream or something that can slow down aging, sign me up!
Fascinating findings! It’s amazing how complex our bodies are, down to the cellular level. Can’t wait to see what comes next from these guys.
im not sure i fully get it, but sounds like a big deal in the skincare world… its all in the genes i guess!
interesting research, it’s always good to see new studies on aging. i wonder if dietary changes could help reduce IL-17 levels?