As the skin is stressed during aging, cellular synthetic activity generally decreases. The production of MFAP-4 is reduced, and the whole process of elastin fiber formation is negatively involved from its first stage. The final elastic fiber is unable to provide mechanical support to the skin, resulting in a general decrease in key mechanical parameters of the skin.
Elaself contains a synthetic recombinant matrikine peptide, sh-Pentapeptide-3 (sequence Val-Ser-Gly-Ile-Arg), a fragment of Microfibril-associated glycoprotein 4 (MFAP-4), a key regulator of elastin organization. It has a positive effect on the synthesis of MFAP-4 protein produced by fibroblasts and also on the production of collagen.
In addition, the MFAP-4 protein is essential for the formation of elastic fibers by associating them together. According to the manufacturer, applied topically, sh-Pentapeptide-3 results in a 30% improvement in skin elasticity and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, both of which are essential for maintaining a youthful appearance.
Skin structural fibers organization
The structural conformation of elastic fibers is the key condition for their correct function in the skin. As skin ages, cellular synthetic activity generally decreases. That’s the problem also in the case of the MFAP-4 protein, which is responsible for the correct organization of elastic fibers. This MFAP-4 protein is a basic functional unit of connections between microfibrils that represent a scaffold for the amorphous elastin deposition during elastic fiber formation.Elaself is a pentapeptide designed to mimic a degrading fragment of the protein MFAP-4, which influences the expression of its gene based on negative feedback. Consequently, this mechanism stimulates the production of this key protein, which supports the correct organization of elastic fibers and fights against UV-induced elastosis and photoaging.
