Tissue engineering strategies to bioengineer the ageing skin phenotype in vitro

Aging Cell. 2022 Feb;21(2):e13550. doi: 10.1111/acel.13550. Epub 2022 Jan 17.

Abstract

Human skin ageing is a complex and heterogeneous process, which is influenced by genetically determined intrinsic factors and accelerated by cumulative exposure to extrinsic stressors. In the current world ageing demographic, there is a requirement for a bioengineered ageing skin model, to further the understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms of skin ageing, and provide a distinct and biologically relevant platform for testing actives and formulations. There have been many recent advances in the development of skin models that recapitulate aspects of the ageing phenotype in vitro. This review encompasses the features of skin ageing, the molecular mechanisms that drive the ageing phenotype, and tissue engineering strategies that have been utilised to bioengineer ageing skin in vitro.

Keywords: ageing; bioengineered tissue; human; in vitro; molecular biology of aging; skin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Phenotype
  • Skin
  • Skin Aging* / genetics
  • Tissue Engineering