Multicomponent Therapy for Age-related Skin Stem Cell Deficiency

Chronic non-healing skin ulcers are a source of considerable suffering worldwide, particularly in rapidly growing aging populations. Why skin becomes fragile and heals poorly as we age remains unclear, although current research indicates that a major reason may reside in defective “stem cells” in skin that normally fuel its renewal and regeneration in order to maintain healthful and youthful function and appearance. Our findings indicate that stem cell pathways involving cell metabolism, DNA regulation, and cell-cell communication may underlie defective wound healing. Our research proposal is designed to explore this hypothesis with the overarching goal of developing new approaches that will pave the way for stem cell-directed combined therapies that will accelerate wound healing and potentially even repair and restore age-damaged skin.