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Skin Aging: A Generalization of the Micro-inflammatory Hypothesis

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Textbook of Aging Skin

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Abstract

The micro-inflammatory hypothesis of skin aging can be represented as a cyclic phenomenon as follows. A cell is damaged by endogenous or exogenous factors. The damaged cell releases proinflammatory signals (prostaglandins, leukotrienes, etc.). Inflammatory signals bind to resident mast cells and induce the release of histamine and TNF-α that diffuse to blood vessels lined by endothelial cells. Stimulated by histamine and TNF-α, endothelial cells synthesize and mobilize ICAM-1. ICAM-1 synthesis can also be stimulated by anoxia, glycated proteins, neuropeptides, hormonal imbalance, or other signals not originating from damaged cells, which all are factors of skin aging. Circulating immune cells bind to ICAM-1, roll over, release hydrogen peroxide, and perform diapedesis. In the presence of chemotactic signals from damaged cell, immune cells fray a path across the dermis by releasing singlet oxygen and matrix metalloproteinases. In the absence of chemotactic signals, immune cells damage the connective tissue surrounding the blood vessels. When the damaged cell is reached, immune cells release an oxidative burst to destroy the damaged cell, engulf the debris, and proceed to the lymphatic system. In these steps, innocent bystander cells can be damaged, thus triggering another round of release of proinflammatory signals, and the cycle is repeated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Elan Rose Int., 161 Fashion lane, Tustin, CA, USA

    Paolo U. Giacomoni

  2. Innovative Biophysical Technologies, PO Box 428, Ridgway, CO, USA

    Glen Rein

Authors
  1. Paolo U. Giacomoni
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  2. Glen Rein
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Correspondence to Paolo U. Giacomoni .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Miranda A. Farage

  2. Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Kenneth W. Miller

  3. Department Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

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Giacomoni, P.U., Rein, G. (2015). Skin Aging: A Generalization of the Micro-inflammatory Hypothesis. In: Farage, M., Miller, K., Maibach, H. (eds) Textbook of Aging Skin. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27814-3_76-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27814-3_76-2

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27814-3

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