KAIST researchers find clues in reverse-aging tech for skin cells

A group of Korean researchers said Thursday that they have developed a reverse aging technology to return aged skin cells responsible for regenerating connective tissue back to the young stage.

The research team, led by Professor Cho Kwang-hyun at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), said it hopes to find a basis to develop a therapy for preventing aging and following diseases by developing the technology.

A research team, led by Professor Cho Kwang-hyun of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), has developed a technology returning aged skin cells responsible for regenerating connective tissue back to a younger state. (KAIST)
A research team, led by Professor Cho Kwang-hyun of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), has developed a technology returning aged skin cells responsible for regenerating connective tissue back to a younger state. (KAIST)

Researchers developed a computer model of signaling networks in aging human dermal fibroblasts and identified the key factors necessary to reverse-age the cells via simulation analysis. This technology increases the synthesis of reduced collagen in aged skin tissue and restores the regenerative ability.

The existing rejuvenation technique under study uses a partial reprogramming method that triggers epigenetic remodeling by temporarily expressing four Yamanaka factors (Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) that reverse the process of differentiated cells.

However, the new technique could induce tumor formation and cancer progression, leaving a change in developing exquisite technology without these side effects.

After four years of research, the team discovered 3 PDK1 (phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1), which simultaneously regulates protein synthesis, cell growth, and the production of an immune substance called cytokine.

The research team confirmed that aging skin cells' biomarkers disappeared when PDK1 was inhibited in human dermal fibroblasts, recovering the function of normal cells responding appropriately to the surrounding environment.

Amorepacific’s Research and Development Center began developing cosmetics that reduce wrinkles with extracted PDK1 inhibitory ingredients from camellia extract based on the study results.

“The study showed the potential for reverse the aging process, which has been recognized as an irreversible phenomenon in life,” Professor Cho said. “This research marked the beginning of a new era that can prevent diseases related to aging and prolong life span.”

The study, titled “Inhibition of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) can revert cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblasts,” was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).

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