[Tumor necrosis factor in fibroblasts of human dermis in the process of physiological aging.]

The aim of this work was to examine the content of tumor necrosis factor in fibroblasts of human dermis from the development until 85 years old, and defining of a role of this protein age-dependent changes in the number of fibroblasts in the dermis. Tumor necrosis factor, proliferating cells nuclear antigen (PCNA), marker of fibroblasts vimentin were detected with indirect immunohistochemical staining. Results showed that portion of fibroblasts with positive staining for tumor necrosis factor in the dermis is increased from 20 weeks of pregnancy until 60 years old followed by a little decrease in age interval 61-85 years old. Common number and percent of PCNA positive fibroblasts in dermis are decreased with age with more expressed changes until 40 years old. Correlation analysis showed that age dependent decrease in the number of fibroblasts and their proliferative activity is significantly associated with increase in the number of dermal fibroblasts positively stained for tumor necrosis factor. Results obtained allow to suggest that tumor necrosis factor plays a role in age dependent decrease in the number of fibroblasts and their proliferation in human dermis.