Biocogent describes the results obtained from in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo testing of a novel approach of delivering of RNA-based messages to skin cells produces highly beneficial outcomes – critical fibre protein levels are bolstered with youthful facial features being restored
Cosmetic care has long-embraced phrases like ‘combating ageing’, ‘slowing ageing’, ‘well-ageing’ and even ‘reversing ageing’. Anti-ageing efforts have become central to the scientific research projects sponsored throughout the industry as the so-called ‘Hallmarks of Ageing’ have been deciphered.
Has that goal of countering the process of ageing been achieved? Even if it was, how would that look? What would be the measurable outcomes of ‘reversing ageing’? Wrinkles diminished to the point of disappearance, perhaps? Maybe restoration of an even skin tone with reduced incidence of hyperpigmentation?
To date, nearly all such efforts could be distilled down to a single approach: topical application of a substance that will affect repairs and/or prevent damage to the skin. Consider a new alternative paradigm: we put our faith and confidence in our skin cells to execute those directives better than we can — ‘Trust Your Cells!’.
To make this bold approach work requires an appreciation for the power and utility of nucleic acids — one of nature’s four key biological molecules. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been formulated into skincare products for a very long time due to its moisturizing properties. Check product labels for ‘DNA salt’ or ‘sodium DNA’.
Currently, there is a resurgence in interest for DNA harvested from sources like salmon sperm. In order to communicate with skin cells to skilfully initiate targeted action, a strategy was devised that involved a lesser-known, more ancient molecule related to DNA: ribonucleic acid (RNA).
The role of RNA
It has been speculated that in the history of life on Planet Earth that RNA was the first biological molecule to arise — what is known as ‘The RNA World Hypothesis’ — and as such, had to shoulder all of the activities associated with life.1
And it shows…beyond the fundamental messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) that were taught to us in high school biology, there are over 40 functionally diverse, non-coding RNAs that have been characterized to date.2
These include but are certainly not limited to: short-interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA), small nuclear RNA (snRNA), small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), piwi-RNA (piRNA), circular RNA (circRNA), and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). Here, the focus will be exclusively on miRNA and how it influences the degree to which certain proteins are produced in the skin and how that activity can be applied to modern cosmetic care.
Cells are constantly sending and receiving messages. Those messages are often in the form of a specific miRNA. miRNAs are one of two arms of a natural process known as ‘RNA interference’ or simply ‘RNAi’ that is responsible for modulating gene expression in the way a rheostat functions.3 Notably, miRNAs are sometimes found associated with exosomes, interest in which continues to grow within the industry.4
The genetic instructions for the synthesis of specific molecules are encoded in discrete segments of DNA sequence called genes found in the nuclei of our cells. Expression starts with the conversion of that DNA sequence into a mRNA molecule via a process known as ‘transcription’.
The mRNA then exits the nucleus into the cell cytoplasm where it migrates to and interacts with ribosomes (composed primarily of rRNA) — the ‘protein factories of the cell’. At that stage, a process known as ‘translation’ begins, which coordinates the positioning of the segments of code in the mRNA with tRNAs delivering cognate amino acids to generate a polypeptide chain that will eventually fold into a functional protein.
The degree to which protein synthesis occurs can be modulated by miRNAs that will intercept the mRNA before it can participate in the translation process, thus decreasing the abundance of a particular protein in the cell. Many groups within the cosmetic care industry have sought to develop effective ways to toggle this mechanism such that deleterious proteins are diminished and beneficial proteins have their expression bolstered.
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