Yongwei Piao, So Yoon Yun, Zhicheng Fu, Ji Min Jang, Moon Jung Back, Ha Hyung Kim, and Dae Kyong Kim. Mol. Cells 2023;46:558-72. https://doi.org/10.14348/molcells.2023.0097

Dan Zhou, Hae Chan Ha, Goowon Yang, Ji Min Jang, Bo Kyung Park, Zhicheng Fu, In Chul Shin & Dae Kyong Kim. BMB Reports 2023;56:445-50. https://doi.org/10.5483/BMBRep.2023-0088

Dan Zhou, Ji Min Jang, Goowon Yang, Hae Chan Ha, Zhicheng Fu and Dae Kyong Kim. Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2023;31:629-39. https://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2023.096

The skin seems to rejuvenate upon exposure to factors within the circulation of young organisms. Intrinsic factors that modulate skin aging are poorly understood. We used heterochronic parabiosis and aptamer-based proteomics to identify serum-derived rejuvenating factors. We discovered a novel extracellular function of hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1). Its serum levels decreased with age, disturbing the integrity of the skin extracellular matrix, which is predominantly composed of collagen I and hyaluronan; levels of various markers, which decrease in aged skin, were significantly restored in vivo and in vitro by the administration of recombinant human HAPLN1 (rhHAPLN1). rhHAPLN1 protected transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 on the cell surface from endocytic degradation via mechanisms such as regulation of viscoelasticity, CD44 clustering. Moreover, rhHAPLN1 regulated the levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B, and some cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors such as p16 and p21. Therefore, rhHAPLN1 may act as a novel biomechanical signaling protein to rejuvenate aged skin.

Hae Chan Ha, Dan Zhou, Zhicheng Fu, Moon Jung Back, Ji Min Jang, In Chul Shin and Dae Kyong Kim. Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2023;31:550-8. https://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2023.080

Jong Min Choi, Yongwei Piao, Kyong Hoon Ahn, Seok Kyun Kim, Jong Hoon Won, Jae Hong Lee, Ji Min Jang, In Chul Shin, Zhicheng Fu, Sung Yun Jung, Eui Man Jeong, and Dae Kyong Kim. Mol. Cells 2023;46:545-57. https://doi.org/10.14348/molcells.2023.0074