IL-17 Protein Identified as Key Player in Skin Aging, Reveals Study by IRB Barcelona and CNAG Researchers
Blocking IL-17 Protein Slows Down Skin Aging and Enhances Recovery
Researchers from the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) and the National Centre for Genomic Analysis (CNAG) have discovered that the IL-17 protein plays a crucial role in the process of skin aging. Led by Dr. Guiomar Solanas, Dr. Salvador Aznar Benitah from IRB Barcelona, and Dr. Holger Heyn from CNAG, the study sheds light on how IL-17 contributes to an inflammatory state associated with skin aging. The findings, published in the journal Nature Aging, unveil the potential for targeted IL-17 interventions to alleviate age-related skin deficiencies and aid in skin recovery post-surgery. Activation of the brown adipose tissue (BAT) promotes non-shivering thermogenesis, conferring beneficial effects on metabolic health. With increasing age, BAT gradually becomes senescent characterized by increased adiposity, inflammatory immune cell infiltration, and reduced thermogenesis, leading to the onset of obesity and age-related metabolic disorders.
Skin aging is characterized by a gradual decline in both structure and function, leading to increased fragility and decreased regenerative capacity, healing ability, and barrier function. Through this research, the scientists examined various cell types within the skin and identified specific immune cells that express high levels of IL-17 during the aging process. By blocking the function of IL-17, they observed a deceleration in the onset of age-related skin deficiencies. These findings offer new possibilities for treating symptoms associated with aging skin and promoting postoperative skin recovery.
Dr. Aznar Benitah, head of the Stem Cells and Cancer laboratory at IRB Barcelona, explains, "Our results demonstrate the involvement of IL-17 in various aging-related functions. We have observed that inhibiting the function of this protein slows down the appearance of various deficiencies associated with aging skin. This discovery opens up new possibilities for treating some of the symptoms or facilitating skin recovery after surgery, for example."
The study utilized single-cell sequencing techniques to explore the complex changes occurring in different cell types throughout the lifespan of the skin. Notably, immune cells displayed specific age-related profiles, including increased presence and elevated expression of IL-17. Dr. Holger Heyn, head of the Single Cell Genomics laboratory at CNAG, highlights the significance of this approach, stating, "Single-cell sequencing has allowed us to delve deep into the complexity of cell types and states in the skin and how they change during the lifespan. We not only found differences in the composition of aged skin but also changes in cell activity states."
The researchers specifically identified gamma delta T cells, innate lymphoid cells, and CD4+ T cells as immune cells that significantly increase in the skin with age and begin expressing high levels of IL-17. This pro-inflammatory cytokine contributes to the mild but persistent inflammation associated with aging and skin deterioration.
While IL-17 has been previously linked to autoimmune skin diseases like psoriasis, the study demonstrates that blocking IL-17 activity improves various aspects related to aging skin. Parameters such as hair follicle growth, transepidermal water loss, wound healing, and genetic markers of aging showed improvement after IL-17 inhibition, effectively delaying the acquisition of these aging traits.
Dr. Guiomar Solanas, associate researcher at IRB Barcelona, notes, "IL-17 protein is essential for vital body functions, such as defense against microbes and wound healing, so permanently blocking it would not be an option. What we have observed is that its temporary inhibition offers benefits that could be of interest at a therapeutic level."
Further research by the team will aim to elucidate the relationship between inflammatory states in the skin and the aging process, specifically investigating the role of IL-17. Additionally, they will explore whether IL-17 is implicated in the aging and deterioration of other tissues and organs, expanding our understanding of the broader impact of this protein on the aging process.
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