Collagen is one of the key factors in skin anti-aging, accounting for more than 70% of the dry weight of the skin, providing tension and elasticity for the skin. Therefore, a deep understanding of the synthesis and regulation mechanism of collagen is extremely important for mastering the principles and methods of skin anti-aging.

Collagen synthesis is a complex and delicate biological process, involving gene expression, protein synthesis, modification and assembly. In this process, a variety of cytokines and growth factors precisely regulate the synthesis of collagen through a complex signaling network.

Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β)

The TGF-β family is the main regulator of collagen synthesis. They bind to TGF-β receptors on the cell surface, activate SMAD-dependent and -independent signaling pathways, regulate multiple transcription factors, and promote the transcription and translation of collagen genes. TGF-β can not only stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts and increase the synthesis of collagen, but also inhibit the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), thereby reducing the degradation of collagen.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)

PDGF activates multiple downstream signaling pathways, such as MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways, by binding to its receptors. These pathways can enhance the survival and proliferation of fibroblasts, thereby indirectly promoting the synthesis of collagen.

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)

EGF is a highly efficient mitogen that can stimulate the proliferation and migration of epithelial cells. It activates signaling pathways such as Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3K/Akt through the EGFR receptor, promoting the progression of the cell cycle and the synthesis of collagen.

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)

FGF family members activate multiple signaling pathways such as MAPK, PI3K/Akt and JNK by binding to their receptors. These signaling pathways can promote cell proliferation and collagen synthesis.

Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)

IGF-1 activates PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways by binding to its receptor, promoting the proliferation of fibroblasts and the synthesis of collagen.

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs)

MMPs have dual roles in the synthesis and degradation of collagen. On the one hand, they can degrade collagen in the extracellular matrix; on the other hand, the activity of MMPs can regulate the activity of cytokines and growth factors, thereby indirectly affecting the synthesis of collagen.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

ECM affects the expression of collagen-related genes through multiple mechanisms. Its components, such as proteoglycans and glycoproteins, can bind to receptors on the cell surface (such as integrins), trigger intracellular signal transduction, and then affect gene expression. In addition, ECM plays an important role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, involving changes in the expression of multiple ECM proteins, such as type I collagen, vitronectin, and fibronectin. EMT-related transcription factors (such as Twist, Slug, Snail, and Zeb) can upregulate the expression of ECM proteins, thereby affecting the expression of collagen genes. The mechanical signaling of ECM and the interaction between cells and ECM are also important factors affecting the expression of collagen genes.

Retinol and its derivatives

Retinol derivatives can promote the proliferation of fibroblasts and the synthesis of collagen. They increase the production of collagen and reduce the activity of collagen-degrading enzymes by regulating the cell cycle and cell differentiation. In the cell, retinol derivatives are converted into retinoic acid, which regulates the expression of target genes, including enzymes and regulatory factors involved in collagen synthesis, by binding to its nuclear receptors (such as RAR and RXR). The regulatory effect of retinoic acid may involve a variety of cell signaling pathways, such as TGF-β, BMP and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, which play a central role in the synthesis of extracellular matrix and tissue remodeling. For example, retinoic acid may regulate the expression of transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) by binding to the retinoic acid receptor (RARβ) and affecting the transcriptional activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1).

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Foremed Legend

The core founding team of Suzhou Foremed Legend Medical Technology Co., Ltd. comes from well-known universities at home and abroad such as Peking University. Foremed Legend focuses on the design, research and development, and application of high-end medical beauty optoelectronic equipment based on compliance and product strength. It is committed to becoming a leading enterprise in the field of high-end medical beauty optoelectronic equipment in the world, a provider of integrated intelligent solutions for diagnosis and treatment, and a pioneer of medical beauty data integration platform.

Through tackling a series of underlying key technologies, Foremed Legend has independently developed a number of high-end medical equipment such as picosecond laser therapy devices, long pulse laser therapy devices, intense pulsed light therapy devices, photoacoustic imaging skin detection devices, and cold air therapy devices, and continues to deepen the research and development of core product technologies, using better technical solutions to benefit the vast number of beauty seekers.

Adhering to the principle of using technology for good, Fumilei will work with industry and ecological partners to bring more safe and effective medical beauty optoelectronic equipment and integrated diagnosis and treatment solutions to the global medical beauty market.