Human stem cells successfully restore the skin stem cell niche, rejuvenate skin

MIAMI — Balance of skin stem cell factors can result in significant rejuvenation of the skin in both young and aged patients, according to a speaker here.

“Rejuvenation is restoring the skin’s youthful appearance and ... restoring its intrinsic ability to retain and repair, ultimately restoring the skin stem cell niche,” Gabriel Nistor, MD, said at South Beach Symposium 2017. “Skin rejuvenation, the skin stem cell niche, will insure the quiescent and adequate cell turnover, the ECM deposition and the ability to respond properly to injuries.”

Gabriel Nistor

Skin stem cell niche regulation, according to Nistor, is made up of two types of classes. The first class is made up of maintenance factors, which target the slow cycling stem cell population. This factor will constantly replenish the niche and does not contain inflammatory factors. The second class is made up of reactive factors, which have stimuli that cause the activation of fast cycling mechanisms and contain strong pro-inflammatory factors.

Young skin and aged skin also fall into two different classes, in which young skin repairs very fast with minimum inflammation and cell turnover in proper proportions, while aged skin loses some of its maintenance factors, cell turnover is in disproportion and cell depletion increases.

“A balanced composition with a lower pro-inflammatory factor will be more beneficial for the stem cell niche of the skin and its maintenance is better than a pro-inflammatory factor, which will make a dramatic repair but with a cost of depletion and aging of that niche,” Nistor said.

Nistor presented results from a study on skin rejuvenation and maintenance using human stem cells in which he was the lead researcher. The results showed more compact stratum corneum, better organized and more cells in the stratum graniosum, higher density and more homogenous stratum basale, thicker papillary dermis and rete subpapillare, thicker and stronger filaggrin and more overall collagen in multiple patients.

Nistor concluded his presentation advising that not all stem cells are equal and physicians should carefully consider the formulation, manufacturing and stability of the products they are using. – by Talitha Bennett

References:

Nistor G. Stem Cells and Growth Factors in Skin Rejuvenation. Presented at: South Beach Symposium 2017; Feb. 9-12, 2017; Miami Beach, Florida.

Nistor G, et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;1;15(5):583-98.

Disclosure: Healio.com was unable to determine whether Nistor has a direct financial interest in the products discussed in this article or if he is a paid consultant for any companies mentioned.