Abstract
Degenerative alterations of collagen and elastic fiber structures are thought to cause the wrinkles and sagging in aged skin. Three-dimensional (3-D) elastic fiber structures are essential for determining the morphology and mechanical properties of skin, such as strength and viscoelasticity. Therefore, it is desirable to develop cosmetic ingredients that can promote the reconstruction of 3-D elastic fiber structure for replacing the aging-related damaged fibers. To examine the promoting effect on fiber formation of cosmetic ingredients, 2-D monolayer cultures of fibroblasts and 3-D dermal equivalents with a collagen gel have been conveniently used. However, elastic fiber formation in these models is insufficient. In this study, we have developed a new 3-D dermal equivalent model with dermal fibroblasts cultured in a fibrin gel in vitro, and applied it to evaluate the elastic fiber formation by an anti-aging cosmetic ingredient.
