# ELASTOTIC MATERIAL OF ACTINICALLY AGED SKIN

> **NIH NIH R01** · MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF CUNY · 1987 · $131,451

## Abstract

It is difficult to differentiate the clinical features of actinic damage to
the skin from that of chronological aging.  Both processes are
characterized by a proliferation of elastic fibers (elastosis) that results
in the formation of elastotic material.  There is some question as to
whether this material is derived from pre-existing elastic fibers or
represents an abnormal elastin-like substance.  The aim of this proposal is
to isolate and biochemically evaluate the elastotic material from hairless
mouse dermits that has been irradiated with sunlamps.  Elastin will be
isolated using nondegradative techniques from irradiated and non-irradiated
skin and compared as to its amino acid composition, extent of crosslinking,
and quantitation of val-pro residues.  In addition, the relative
contributions of fibronectin, glycosaminoglycans, and microfibrillar
proteins to the elastotic material in irradiated mouse dermis will be
determined.  The distribution of collagen and procollagen types in skin
from irradiated mice will also be described.  Techniques to be used include
high pressure liquid chromatography to resolve and quantitate the amino
acid, val-pro, and desmosine residues of elastin and enzyme linked immuno
sorbant assay (ELISA) to quantitate microfibrillar proteins, fibronectin
and collagen.  In addition, immunofluorescent and immunoblotting methods
will be employed.  An in vitro model for the study of antinic effects on
connective tissue will be developed.  Human skin fibroblasts in vitro will
be subjected to UV irradiation and its effects on collagen and elastin
synthesis determined.  In addition, variations in the levels of
glycosaminoglycans, fibronectin, and microfibrillar proteins will be
measured in these cultures.  Biopsies will be obtained (from volunteers)
from actinically damaged and non-exposed skin and the val-pro content,
amino acid composition, and extent of crosslinking of the isolated elastin
compared.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157474
- **Project number:** 5R01AR036101-03
- **Recipient organization:** MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF CUNY
- **Principal Investigator:** ELAINE SCHWARTZ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $131,451
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-23 → 1989-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157474

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157474, ELASTOTIC MATERIAL OF ACTINICALLY AGED SKIN (5R01AR036101-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157474. Licensed CC0.

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