Skin Longevity: From Biomarkers to Solutions

Dear Colleagues,

Skin represents an accessible and relevant means of observing the fundamental mechanisms behind aging, as described in the majority of hallmarks of longevity.

Among these mechanisms, oxidative stress and DNA damage play a central role. Chronic exposure to UV radiation and pollutants induces the accumulation of lesions such as 8-OHdG, particularly in guanine-rich regions, such as telomeres. This damage promotes telomere attrition and impairs genomic stability, thereby contributing to skin cell senescence.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is another key pillar of skin aging. Under stress conditions, PGC-1α levels reflect adaptive regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and impairment of the respiratory chain increases ROS production, reinforcing a deleterious vicious cycle that affects DNA, lipids, and proteins. The last is associated with a loss of proteostasis, illustrated by the irreversible carbonylation of proteins, including histones, with direct consequences for cutaneous gene expression and protection.

Altered intercellular communication in skin, such as the crosstalk between the epidermis and dermis, is also associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which contributes to extracellular matrix degradation and loss of barrier function, often referred to as “leaky skin syndrome.”

In addition, both the skin and gut microbiota are emerging as important modulators of immune responses, tight junction integrity, and pro-inflammatory signaling.

Skin longevity should be approached not only through the identification of aging biomarkers but also through the development of new targeted solutions.

In conclusion, the skin can be considered a sentinel organ of systemic longevity processes. An integrated strategy targeting redox balance, mitochondrial function, proteostasis, and the microbiota is essential in preserving skin structure and function from the perspective of healthy skin aging.

We are pleased to invite you to participate in this Special Issue, “Skin Longevity: From Biomarkers to Solutions”. For this Special Issue, submissions of original research articles and reviews are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Lionel Breton
Guest Editor

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• skin
• longevity hallmark translation
• aging