Scientists in Poland have found links between genetic variation, DNA methylation, lifestyle factors and visible signs of facial skin ageing, based on three-dimensional facial scans and large-scale genetic and epigenetic analyses of more than 700 people.
The study by the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin and the Jagiellonian University in Kraków analysed 735 three-dimensional facial scans from participants drawn from the Polish population, alongside blood samples, interviews and genetic and epigenetic data.
According to the researchers, the results show that facial skin condition reflects biological ageing more accurately than chronological age.
“The analysis of three-dimensional facial scans and large-scale genetic and epigenetic data allowed us to better understand the factors determining the rate of ageing,” said Ewelina Pośpiech, PhD, from the Department of Forensic Genomics and Genetics at the Pomeranian Medical University, who led the project.
The research identified associations between wrinkle formation and DNA methylation in several genes, including EDAR and NRG1, which are involved in wound healing and skin regeneration. Scientists found that people of the same chronological age can differ substantially in appearance and be perceived as younger or older.
“The uniqueness of this project stems from its comprehensiveness and interdisciplinary nature,” Pośpiech said.
The researchers concluded that DNA sequence alone does not explain the ageing process. “It turns out that DNA sequence does not fully explain the ageing process. Environmental factors, lifestyle, and their influence on gene activity are important. We determined this thanks to epigenetic research,” Pośpiech said.
Epigenetics examines changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence itself, but result from chemical modifications such as DNA methylation. DNA methylation can be influenced by external factors including diet, stress and smoking. The study showed that facial skin ageing was associated with education level, socioeconomic status, physical activity, body mass index and smoking.
“DNA methylation, a process that regulates gene activity, provides information about the environmental impact on a person’s body, such as whether they smoke, drink alcohol, or use other substances,” Pośpiech said, adding that DNA methylation acts as an intermediary between genes and the environment.
While DNA remains unchanged throughout life, DNA methylation can be modified. “If we know that methylation of a given gene is responsible for wrinkle formation, we can develop interventions and action plans that will delay this process,” Pośpiech said.
According to the researchers, the findings may be applied in preventive medicine, dermatology and the cosmetics industry, as well as in forensic science and anthropology, including age prediction and facial reconstruction.
Asked whether epigenetic research could lead to an “elixir of youth,” Pośpiech said the collected material provides a basis for further molecular studies that could contribute to the development of anti-ageing products.
The project has been funded since 2019 by the Polish National Centre for Research and Development and involved scientists from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, the Central Forensic Laboratory of the Police in Warsaw, the University of Lodz and the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice.
Pośpiech said the preliminary stage of the research included more than 2,000 people, of whom over 700 were selected for detailed analysis. “We screened out people who had undergone so-called beauty treatments and those suffering from chronic diseases,” she said.
In addition to facial scans and laboratory analyses, the study included assessments of participants’ appearance by other people. “Accelerated biological ageing measured by epigenetic clocks correlated with the number of wrinkles, skin photoageing, and older facial age as assessed by others,” Pośpiech said.
The research is continuing under the OPUS 27 project, funded by the Polish National Science Centre. Researchers are currently running health programmes for people with metabolic syndrome, examining how anti-inflammatory diets, strength and aerobic training and supplementation affect biological ageing, DNA methylation, metabolic health, the gut microbiome and facial skin condition, as well as perceived facial age. (PAP)
PAP - Science in Poland
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