Skin ageing analysed by gene microarray

The aim of our study was to identify interesting targets that drive the ageing process. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes from young and old donors were compared by high-throughput gene expression screening.

The most visible feature of getting old is ageing of the skin. Our modern culture forces people to look young and fresh just right after they get up. But the environment we live in is full of stress and pollutants that cause defects in our DNA and our skin never looks the same again. Also, our lifestyle habits cause a lot of skin problems. In dermatology and cosmetology, new anti-ageing strategies are constantly developed to overcome nature. Plastic surgery is one way, but not everyone can or wants to undergo this invasive procedure. Therefore active compounds used in cosmetics are constantly searched for and raise interest in the cosmetic industry as part of research of ageing skin. 

There are well-known consequences of skin ageing: loss of elasticity, slower selfrenewal processes and proinflammatory skin environment. But where does the ageing start? We have to look at the basic essence of our bodies – cells. We have DNA in our cells that serves as a special gene code book. These genes are read to inform our cells how, where and when to build up essential body components proteins. This process is generally called gene expression. For example in the context of skin, fibroblasts are instructed when and how much connective tissue (collagen, elastin etc.) to produce, keratinocytes produce certain amount of fillagrin and keratin to create barrier function of the skin and melanocytes produce melanin for protection of the skin against UV.