Bioactive recombinant human elastin gel for reconstructing elastic fibers and rejuvenating endogenously aged skin.

Abstract

Endogenous skin aging results in oxidative stress and degradation of elastic fibers, leading to reduced skin elasticity and dermal laxity. Current treatments rarely target elastic fiber regeneration. Here, we introduce a bioactive gel containing recombinant humanized elastin (RHE) that effectively restores skin elasticity and promotes extracellular matrix remodeling. RHE gel demonstrated superior efficacy in reversing UV-induced damage and oxidative stress in zebrafish models, and significantly improved skin function in aged mice, outperforming commercial vitamin E and recombinant humanized collagen (RHC) gels. Molecular analyses revealed enhanced expression of key elastic fiber and collagen components alongside reduced matrix-degrading enzymes. This study highlights RHE gel's potential as a novel therapeutic for regenerative dermatology and skin aging.