[Dermal aging. Immunofluorescence study of collagens I and III and fibronectin]

In this study the authors have studied 10 young subjects and 10 old subjects. The biopsies are examined by light microscopy, and by immunofluorescence techniques with specific antibodies against collagen I, III and fibronectin. In this last case the authors used also immunoelectron microscopy with peroxidase labeling and immunofluorescence techniques in fibroblasts cultures. The results showed that there was no difference in collagen localization in young and old subjects. But the fibronectin was found decreased in papillary dermis of old subjects. These results are confirmed in culture, where the fibrillar extracellular fibronectin was abundant in culture of young subjects and very poor in old subjects. The role of fibronectin will be very important in ageing, its decrease will explain the morphological modifications of dermal connective tissue with age.