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Sun Care
Kao Corporation’s Biological Science Research Laboratory confirms that skin elasticity is lower when the expression of microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP-4), essential for elastin formation, is reduced. The amount of MFAP-4 decreases in association with aging and UV exposure.
MFAP-4: Essential for Formation of Elastin
Elastin is a protein complex consisting mainly of elastin molecules in a stacked formation. It has a highly elastic rubber-like construction and plays an important role in maintaining cutaneous elasticity.
Normal elastin formation is significant for maintaining skin elasticity. However, elastin is known to decrease and degenerate due to aging and UV exposure. In view of findings showing that the amount of MFAP-4 is involved in elastin formation, Kao researchers considered that its level might be related to human skin elasticity.
Relationship Between MFAP-4 and Elasticity
In the present study, the relationship between MFAP-4 expression and elasticity, as well as the
effects of aging and UV radiation on MFAP-4 were quantitatively examined in human skin.
In the present study, 12 women in their 20s and 30s underwent measurements of MFAP-4 gene expression in skin on the inner part of the upper arm, considered to have a low level of UV radiation exposure. The relationship with viscoelasticity, one of the indices used for elasticity, was also determined. The results obtained are the first to confirm that elasticity is reduced with lower levels of MFAP-4 expression in human skin.
MFAP-4 Level in Human Skin Decreases with Aging
To confirm changes in MFAP-4 level associated with aging, amounts in skin in UV-unexposed and UV-exposed areas were compared between women in their 20s and 30s with those in their 60s. The results confirmed that the amount of MFAP-4 was markedly lower in UV-unexposed areas of women in their 60s as compared to those in their 20s and 30s. These findings are the first to show that MFAP-4 level in human skin is decreased in association with aging.
Furthermore, a comparison of MFAP-4 amounts between UV-exposed and unexposed areas of the women in their 60s revealed lower levels in exposed areas, confirming that MFAP-4 in human skin is reduced by chronic UV exposure.
The findings confirm that MFAP-4 is closely linked with skin elasticity. With these findings, Kao will continue to pursue research of elastin, with the aim to propose technology for realizing beautiful and healthy skin.
Source: Kao