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Fibroblast responses to cytokines are maintained during aging
M Freedland1, S Karmiol, J Rodriguez
1Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Cellular responses to wound-healing cytokines remain intact with age. Impaired wound healing in older adults may stem from immune system changes or other health conditions, not reduced fibroblast function.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Dermatology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Impaired wound healing is common in older individuals.
- This may be due to reduced fibroblast activity or response to inflammatory cytokines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if fibroblast response to growth factors and cytokines diminishes with age.
- To determine if cellular responses are preserved in aged fibroblasts.
Main Methods:
- Fibroblast cell strains were derived from human skin across a wide age range (3 days to 84 years).
- Assays measured mitogenic response to cytokines (epidermal growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, platelet-derived growth factor) and fetal bovine serum.
- Protein synthesis (collagen and noncollagen) was assessed basally and after transforming growth factor-beta stimulation.
Main Results:
- Fibroblast mitogenic response to cytokine stimulation did not vary with donor age.
- Collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis in response to transforming growth factor-beta was also age-independent.
- Significant individual variation in cellular response to cytokines was observed, correlating with clinical wound-healing variability.
Conclusions:
- Cellular responses of fibroblasts to key wound-healing cytokines are preserved throughout the human lifespan.
- Age-related decline in wound healing is unlikely due to intrinsic fibroblast dysfunction.
- Altered immune responses or comorbidities may underlie impaired healing in the elderly.