Recent advances in dermal fibroblast senescence and skin aging: unraveling mechanisms and pioneering therapeutic strategies

Aging is a multifactorial process that affects skin integrity through the progressive decline of dermal fibroblast function. Dermal fibroblasts are key regulators of extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, wound healing, and tissue homeostasis. However, their dysfunction contributes to structural de...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Li Nan, Pengchao Guo, Wang Hui, Fang Xia, Chenggang Yi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1592596/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850218326867836928
author Li Nan
Pengchao Guo
Wang Hui
Fang Xia
Chenggang Yi
author_facet Li Nan
Pengchao Guo
Wang Hui
Fang Xia
Chenggang Yi
author_sort Li Nan
collection DOAJ
description Aging is a multifactorial process that affects skin integrity through the progressive decline of dermal fibroblast function. Dermal fibroblasts are key regulators of extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, wound healing, and tissue homeostasis. However, their dysfunction contributes to structural deterioration, chronic inflammation, and impaired regenerative capacity. Cellular senescence, a fundamental characteristic of aging, results in the buildup of senescent fibroblasts that release growth factors, matrix-degrading enzymes, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). This study examines the impact of fibroblast senescence on dermal aging, highlighting mechanisms such as DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and telomere attrition. The role of SASP-driven ECM degradation, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activation, and fibroblast-keratinocyte communication breakdown are explored, demonstrating their collective contribution to skin aging. Additionally, key signaling pathways, including p16INK4a/RB, p53, NF-κB, mTOR, and TGF-β, are implicated in fibroblast senescence and chronic inflammation. Recent advancements in therapeutic strategies targeting fibroblast aging, such as senolytics, extracellular vesicle-based interventions, and metabolic reprogramming, offer promising avenues for skin rejuvenation. This review delves into the molecular and cellular dynamics of dermal fibroblast aging, emphasizing their relevance for developing novel anti-aging interventions.
format Article
id doaj-art-7dbae49298804256beb21528e8fb4769
institution OA Journals
issn 1663-9812
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Pharmacology
spelling doaj-art-7dbae49298804256beb21528e8fb47692025-08-20T02:07:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-06-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15925961592596Recent advances in dermal fibroblast senescence and skin aging: unraveling mechanisms and pioneering therapeutic strategiesLi Nan0Pengchao Guo1Wang Hui2Fang Xia3Chenggang Yi4Department of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaEmergency Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, ChinaAging is a multifactorial process that affects skin integrity through the progressive decline of dermal fibroblast function. Dermal fibroblasts are key regulators of extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, wound healing, and tissue homeostasis. However, their dysfunction contributes to structural deterioration, chronic inflammation, and impaired regenerative capacity. Cellular senescence, a fundamental characteristic of aging, results in the buildup of senescent fibroblasts that release growth factors, matrix-degrading enzymes, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). This study examines the impact of fibroblast senescence on dermal aging, highlighting mechanisms such as DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and telomere attrition. The role of SASP-driven ECM degradation, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activation, and fibroblast-keratinocyte communication breakdown are explored, demonstrating their collective contribution to skin aging. Additionally, key signaling pathways, including p16INK4a/RB, p53, NF-κB, mTOR, and TGF-β, are implicated in fibroblast senescence and chronic inflammation. Recent advancements in therapeutic strategies targeting fibroblast aging, such as senolytics, extracellular vesicle-based interventions, and metabolic reprogramming, offer promising avenues for skin rejuvenation. This review delves into the molecular and cellular dynamics of dermal fibroblast aging, emphasizing their relevance for developing novel anti-aging interventions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1592596/fullagingdermal fibroblastskinSASPsignaling pathways
spellingShingle Li Nan
Pengchao Guo
Wang Hui
Fang Xia
Chenggang Yi
Recent advances in dermal fibroblast senescence and skin aging: unraveling mechanisms and pioneering therapeutic strategies
Frontiers in Pharmacology
aging
dermal fibroblast
skin
SASP
signaling pathways
title Recent advances in dermal fibroblast senescence and skin aging: unraveling mechanisms and pioneering therapeutic strategies
title_full Recent advances in dermal fibroblast senescence and skin aging: unraveling mechanisms and pioneering therapeutic strategies
title_fullStr Recent advances in dermal fibroblast senescence and skin aging: unraveling mechanisms and pioneering therapeutic strategies
title_full_unstemmed Recent advances in dermal fibroblast senescence and skin aging: unraveling mechanisms and pioneering therapeutic strategies
title_short Recent advances in dermal fibroblast senescence and skin aging: unraveling mechanisms and pioneering therapeutic strategies
title_sort recent advances in dermal fibroblast senescence and skin aging unraveling mechanisms and pioneering therapeutic strategies
topic aging
dermal fibroblast
skin
SASP
signaling pathways
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1592596/full
work_keys_str_mv AT linan recentadvancesindermalfibroblastsenescenceandskinagingunravelingmechanismsandpioneeringtherapeuticstrategies
AT pengchaoguo recentadvancesindermalfibroblastsenescenceandskinagingunravelingmechanismsandpioneeringtherapeuticstrategies
AT wanghui recentadvancesindermalfibroblastsenescenceandskinagingunravelingmechanismsandpioneeringtherapeuticstrategies
AT fangxia recentadvancesindermalfibroblastsenescenceandskinagingunravelingmechanismsandpioneeringtherapeuticstrategies
AT chenggangyi recentadvancesindermalfibroblastsenescenceandskinagingunravelingmechanismsandpioneeringtherapeuticstrategies