Reverse Aging Skin Cells Using Defensins and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Researchers have developed an innovative new technique for rejuvenating skin cells without losing their functions, as reported in eLife and an important step towards whole-body rejuvenation.
Researchers discovered that applying ABT-263 to skin reduced senescent cells and improved wound healing, due to activating genes involved in blood vessel growth and tissue remodeling, both critical elements in proper wound closure.
Defensins
Defensins are cysteine-rich peptides found throughout all vertebrate and invertebrate cells that possess antimicrobial activities, categorized into three main groups based on structural variations: a-defensins, b-defensins and q-defensins. Each defensin protein contains 18 to 45 amino acids with three highly conserved cysteine disulfide bonds forming three or more highly conserved disulfide bonds which combine directly antimicrobial effects with immunomodulatory effects against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as enveloped viruses.
Defensins have the ability to destroy bacteria through various mechanisms, including membrane disruption, inhibition of cell wall synthesis and neutralizing secreted toxins. Furthermore, they may modulate adaptive immunity by encouraging the clonal expansion of T regulatory (Treg) cells.
Scientists were struck with surprise when, while studying cell therapies to aid wound healing, they accidentally unwittingly unlocked two specific defensins’ skin-rejuvenating properties. Alpha-defensin 5 works to engage the age-correcting potential of skin master cells while beta-defensin 3 significantly strengthens their barrier function.
Both a-defensin and b-defensin can reactivate latent LGR6 stem cells in the basal layer of skin, prompting them to create new keratinocytes that help combat signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Retinol only stimulates existing fibroblasts to make more collagen while defensins encourage stem cells to produce fresh skin cells – something retinol cannot do.
Defensive medicines known as A and B-defensins help support healthy immune response when applied topically by stimulating macrophages to produce the chemokine CXCL12. They then induce CD4+ T-reg cells, which have anti-inflammatory properties, which in turn prevent inflammation responses such as hypersensitivity, dermatitis, allergic reactions or other rashes that often accompany age. They have even been shown to decrease UV radiation sensitivity – providing added defense from exposure.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells capable of developing into various cell types within the body. MSCs serve as immune modulators and reduce inflammation; their highest concentration can be found in bone marrow and adipose tissue. MSCs can be obtained from umbilical cord blood, adipose tissue, peripheral blood, placental tissue, synovial fluid or dental pulp sources.
MSCs are recognized as being at the core of regenerative medicine and have been shown to restore tissue and organ integrity by stimulating cellular regeneration, reducing chronic inflammation and inhibiting oxidative stress. MSCs have also been found to increase skin elasticity while stimulating collagen production; in addition, they possess anti-aging properties through paracrine signaling, extracellular vesicle release and direct cellular differentiation processes that help reverse signs of ageing in skin tissue.
Many factors contribute to skin aging, including UVR radiation, inflammation and oxidative stress. Through these processes, normal structural and functional degradation occurs within the skin’s structure and functions over time; over time the number of functional cells decreases due to senescence/apoptosis while new ones don’t possess self-renewing abilities resulting in an accelerated rate of aging.
Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of MSCs to diminish the effects of aging skin. Not only can they promote skin elasticity and immunity modulation properties, they are also immune modulatory and anti-inflammatory. Furthermore, they can be harvested directly from human umbilical cords, eliminating donor variability issues as well as short lifespan issues associated with primary cells.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy has proven successful in alleviating various inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disease. Mesenchymal stem cells may be administered via intra-articular injection, topical application or infusion; with infusion being most beneficial in terms of pain reduction while topical applications stimulate cell regeneration to improve skin tone and texture – though further clinical study must take place to ascertain if mesenchymal stem cell can reverse signs of aging in humans.
The Yamanaka Peptide
Shinya Yamanaka made an astonishing discovery that sent shockwaves through the scientific world in 2006. By using four special proteins, differentiated cells could be converted back to pluripotent stem cells – cells capable of turning into any cell type within our bodies – using reverse genetic programming techniques. His discovery challenged long-held beliefs about cell differentiation as irreversible; ultimately earning him the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2012.
Researchers who attempted to replicate Yamanaka’s discovery on healthy mice discovered that full cellular reprogramming caused numerous problems, including loss of cell identity and formation of cancerous tumors known as teratomas. To bypass these problems, scientists began experimenting with partial reprogramming — exposing cells for short periods only enough time for Yamanaka factors to reset aging-related epigenetic marks without disrupting core functionality of cells.
This new approach, known as Partial Epigenetic Reprogramming (PER), shows promise in delaying age-related diseases and even reversing biological aging itself. Now being researched are combinations of compounds with PER that could rejuvenate skin, heart, liver, and muscle cells for rejuvenation purposes.
Research findings have yielded some promising new treatments, including NAD+ as an anti-aging supplement. It works by improving mitochondrial function and activating genes that control DNA methylation; NAD+ has also been found to decrease oxidative stress and telomere dysfunction commonly experienced by aging cells.
NAD+ supplements can already be found in most people’s diets and can be obtained through eating natural sources such as nuts, fish, dark chocolate and tomatoes. When combined with proper skincare regimes and treatments, NAD+ can help people look years or even decades younger and can even be taken orally as daily pills.
OneSkin
OneSkin stands out in an industry filled with empty promises and trend-driven products by being scientific, transparent and bold about aging doesn’t necessarily equal decline. Their entire product line is built around their OS-01 peptide – one of the main contributors in helping reverse signs of aging by activating the cellular repair mechanisms which target “zombie cells”, such as those which accumulate damage, release inflammatory signals that contribute to wrinkles and age spots in your skin.
Senescent cells are an inevitable result of exposure to environmental stresses like UV radiation. Over time they accumulate on your skin and clog it up, slowing collagen production and contributing to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. By eliminating senescent cells using OS-01 you can help reduce wrinkles while simultaneously supporting firmer, radiant, less reactive skin.
OneSkin achieved these results without adding ingredients typically found in anti-aging skincare. They utilized their lab-developed OS-01 peptide, tested against over 1,000 potential candidates using 3D human skin models that replicate UV damage, to significantly reduce cellular senescence while improving barrier function, collagen production and overall skin health.
Their products feature vegan biomimetic collagen that they claim can boost elastin, laminin and collagen production, without disruptors that could affect skin barrier function or cause oxidative stress. Furthermore, these sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide based) offer 100% non-nano mineral broad spectrum protection for sun safety.
Results speak for themselves – here are before and after images showing the transformation in periorbital (eye area) skin around the eyes using OneSkin. Take note of the noticeable change along the inner corner and top of nose/upper cheek junction, including blue circles around both.
OneSkin offers all their clinical data – lab and patient studies that measure everything from biological age to collagen production – in an accessible and understandable format on their website. Furthermore, OneSkin stands by ethical practices, guaranteeing all products offered are cruelty-free.
