Epidermal growth factor receptor and its role in skin ageing

Abstract

Skin ageing is one of the challenges that alter skin normal functions. Its manifestations could appear naturally with age or due to environmental interactions. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) binds its receptor (EGFR) on the cell surface and activates metabolic pathways that are crucial for cell division, growth and proliferation. Any impairment or defect in these pathways can slow cellular growth and lead to cellular senescence and skin ageing. Interestingly, accelerated skin ageing symptoms have been noticed in cancer patients treated with EGFR inhibitors (EGFRIs), suggesting that EGFR plays an important role in the pathogenesis of skin ageing. However, the role of EGFR in healthy skin ageing has not previously been elucidated. Therefore, this thesis aimed to: i) evaluate the functional consequences of chronological and photoageing on EGFR expression, as well as the relationship between donor age and senescence and ii) assess the cellular impact of EGFRIs and UVR on the expression of EGFR and markers of cellular senescence. In human skin, immunofluorescence staining identified that EGFR is reduced as a consequence of age at photoprotected buttock sites of the very aged (over 85 years; p

Date of Award	1 Mar 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Rachel Watson (Supervisor) & Abigail Langton (Supervisor)