Aging of the skin barrier

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Gerontology
• Metabolic Diseases

Background:

• The skin barrier, primarily in the stratum corneum (SC), comprises corneocytes, intercellular lipids, and corneodesmosomes.
• Tight junctions in the stratum granulosum also contribute to the skin barrier's integrity.
• Aging and diabetes mellitus significantly alter skin barrier structure and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying skin barrier dysfunction in aging.
• To identify similarities in skin barrier changes between aged and diabetic skin.
• To inform the development of therapeutic strategies for compromised skin.

Main Methods:

• Review of structural and functional components of the skin barrier.
• Analysis of age-related changes in skin barrier parameters.
• Comparison of skin barrier characteristics in aging and diabetes.

Main Results:

• Aging impacts skin barrier structure, permeability, calcium gradient, lipid synthesis and processing, cytokine response, SC acidity, hydration, and antimicrobial function.
• Diabetic skin exhibits similar alterations to aged skin, indicating shared pathogenic pathways.
• Key aspects affected include epidermal calcium gradients, lipid metabolism, and SC hydration.

Conclusions:

• Skin barrier dysfunction in aging involves multiple structural and functional deficits.
• Diabetic skin shares significant similarities with aged skin, suggesting common underlying mechanisms.
• Further understanding of these mechanisms can guide the development of targeted therapies for aged and diabetic skin conditions.