Silk Fibroin Counteracts Fibroblast Senescence to Restore ECM Homeostasis in Aged Skin.

ABSTRACT: Skin aging is characterized by a progressive decline in regenerative capacity, primarily driven by fibroblast senescence, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and the degradation of type I/III collagen, culminating in an extracellular matrix (ECM) imbalance. Current injectable fillers-such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, and PLLA-provide temporary structural support but fail to address the underlying cellular senescence or restore ECM homeostasis, highlighting the need for regenerative biomaterials. Silk fibroin (SF), a natural protein, self-assembles into a β-sheet-rich scaffold that structurally supports fibroblasts in depositing collagen and elastin, thereby improving the skin's ECM, accelerating wound healing, and promoting tissue regeneration. However, its role in modulating fibrobla

SUBMITTER: Cheng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12808896 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature