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Updated: Jul 29, 2025

Isolation of Papillary and Reticular Fibroblasts from Human Skin by Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
Published on: May 7, 2019
Dermal Fibroblasts as the Main Target for Skin Anti-Age Correction Using a Combination of Regenerative Medicine
Alla Zorina1,2, Vadim Zorin1,2, Artur Isaev1
1The Human Stem Cells Institute, Moscow 119333, Russia.
Abstract:
This article includes the data from current studies regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms of skin aging and the regenerative processes occurring in the epidermis and dermis at the molecular and cellular level, mainly, the key role of dermal fibroblasts in skin regeneration. Analyzing these data, the authors proposed the concept of skin anti-age therapy that is based on the correction of age-related skin changes by stimulating regenerative processes at the molecular and cellular level. The main target of the skin anti-age therapy is dermal fibroblasts (DFs). A variant of the cosmetological anti-age program using the combination of laser and cellular methods of regenerative medicine is presented in the paper. The program includes three stages of implementation and defines the tasks and methods of each stage. Thus, laser technologies allow one to remodel the collagen matrix and create favorable conditions for DFs functions, whereas the cultivated autologous dermal fibroblasts replenish the pool of mature DFs decreasing with age and are responsible for the synthesis of components of the dermal extracellular matrix. Finally, the use of autological platelet-rich plasma (PRP) enables to maintenance of the achieved results by stimulating DF function. It has been shown that growth factors/cytokines contained in α-granules of platelets injected into the skin bind to the corresponding transmembrane receptors on the surface of DFs and stimulate their synthetic activity. Thus, the consecutive, step-by-step application of the described methods of regenerative medicine amplifies the effect on the molecular and cellular aging processes and thereby allows one to optimize and prolong the clinical results of skin rejuvenation.
Insights
This study introduces a novel skin anti-aging therapy targeting dermal fibroblasts (DFs) to stimulate regeneration. Combining laser treatments, cultivated DFs, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) optimizes skin rejuvenation by enhancing cellular repair and collagen production.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Aesthetic Science
Background:
- Skin aging involves complex pathophysiological mechanisms affecting epidermal and dermal regeneration at molecular and cellular levels.
- Dermal fibroblasts (DFs) play a crucial role in skin regeneration and extracellular matrix synthesis.
- Age-related decline in DF function contributes to visible signs of skin aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a concept for skin anti-aging therapy focused on stimulating regenerative processes.
- To present a multi-stage cosmetological program combining laser and cellular regenerative medicine methods.
- To investigate the role of dermal fibroblasts as the primary target for anti-aging interventions.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing laser technologies to remodel the collagen matrix and improve the microenvironment for DFs.
- Employing cultivated autologous dermal fibroblasts to replenish age-diminished DF populations.
- Applying autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to stimulate DF synthetic activity via growth factors.
Main Results:
- Laser treatment creates favorable conditions for dermal fibroblast function.
- Cultivated DFs restore the dermal extracellular matrix components.
- PRP enhances DF activity, prolonging the rejuvenating effects of the therapy.
Conclusions:
- A sequential application of laser, cultivated DFs, and PRP amplifies regenerative effects.
- This combined regenerative medicine approach optimizes and extends clinical outcomes in skin rejuvenation.
- The proposed therapy effectively addresses molecular and cellular aging processes in the skin.
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