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Effect of stem cell secretome in skin rejuvenation: a narrative review

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Abstract

Purpose

Cutaneous aging is an inevitable biological process that develops over time due to cumulative cellular and molecular changes caused by exposure to intrinsic (chronological aging) and extrinsic (photo-aging) factors on the skin. Skin aging is characterized by a decline in the body’s capability to sustain senescence, dermal cell apoptosis, and homeostasis. Stem cell secretions (secretome) are defined as the total set of dynamically overlapping paracrine soluble growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, angiogenic factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and antimicrobial peptides known to be responsible for tissue rejuvenation, regeneration, homeostasis, and immunomodulation.

Methods

In this review, we summarized the molecular and regulatory mechanism of the secretome in preventing the skin aging process, as well as its capacity in inducing skin rejuvenation. Furthermore, we illustrated secretome efficiency as an anti-aging therapeutic strategy based on in vitro and in vivo published studies.

Results

In all reviewed publications, the secretome has been proven to be the most effective treatment for aged skin, capable of reversing the aging process through the action of cytokines, growth factors, and collagen, which are its primary components. The reported mechanism of action involves modulating the signaling pathways of aging and replenishing the skin with collagen, fibronectin, and elastin, ultimately resulting in skin renewal and rejuvenation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, compared to available treatments, the secretome shows great promise as an anti-aging therapy.

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Data availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study. This Review article describes entirely theoretical research.

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The authors did not receive support, funds, or grants from any organization for the submitted work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon

    Rita Hani & Abir Abdel Rahman

  2. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    Luna Khayat

  3. Modern University for Business & Science, Beirut, Lebanon

    Nada Alaaeddine

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  1. Rita Hani
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  2. Luna Khayat
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  4. Nada Alaaeddine
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Contributions

NA has reviewed and corrected the manuscript and was responsible for the objective of the review. RH wrote the review paper and had done all the research on PubMed as well as designed and corrected the figures. LK, native English speaker, helped in drawing the figures. AAR contributed to the gathering of published papers on secretome and its effect on the skin.

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Correspondence to Nada Alaaeddine.

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Hani, R., Khayat, L., Rahman, A.A. et al. Effect of stem cell secretome in skin rejuvenation: a narrative review. Mol Biol Rep 50, 7745–7758 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-023-08622-y

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