Studies in cutaneous aging: II. The microvasculature

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Microcirculation Research
• Aging Biology

Background:

• Skin aging involves chronological and environmental factors like UV radiation.
• Microcirculatory changes contribute to skin aging and disease, such as psoriasis.
• Veil cells' role in vascular maintenance is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• Differentiate actinic damage from chronological aging effects on skin microvasculature.
• Investigate the role of veil cells in dermal microvessel wall changes.
• Correlate veil cell activity with aging and UV exposure.

Main Methods:

• Light and electron microscopy of skin microvessels.
• Comparison of sun-exposed versus sun-protected skin.
• Analysis of normal and psoriatic skin samples.

Main Results:

• Actinically damaged skin showed thickened vascular walls with added basement membrane-like material.
• Veil cells in damaged skin exhibited dilated endoplasmic reticulum with electron-dense material.
• Aging showed varied effects: some older individuals had thickened walls, while others had abnormally thin walls with reduced/absent veil cells.

Conclusions:

• Veil cells synthesize and maintain dermal microvessel walls.
• UV light, diabetes, and early aging stimulate excessive veil cell activity.
• Progressive aging decreases veil cell number and activity, leading to thin-walled vessels.