Scientists have discovered that a protein which plays a role in cancers and tissue repair may also hold potential in removing skin wrinkles. The protein, called RHAMM, for Receptor for Hyaluronan Mediated Motility, may one day replace Botox treatment, which carry such unpleasant side-effects as muscle paralysis and loss of facial expressions.

In the course of their collaborative study, Bissell and Turley, working with mice, discovered that blocking the expression of the RHAMM protein - either by deleting its gene, or through the introduction of a blocking reagent - can be used to selectively induce the generation of fat cells to replace those lost in the aging process. At the same time blocking RHAMM expression also reduces deposits of unhealthy visceral fat.

"This technique could be developed as a means of providing a non-surgical approach for normalizing skin appearance after reconstructive surgery, for wrinkle reduction, and for face lifts and figure enhancement," said Bissell.

Said Turley, "Unlike neurotoxin agents, which have to be injected periodically, a localized injection of a RHAMM inhibitor should produce long-lasting skin volumizing effects and would not involve muscle paralysis, which means there would be no loss of expression if it were to be injected into the face."

Apart from wrinkles, RHAMM may also be useful in reconstructive surgery such as in grafted tissue on burn victims.

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Photo: In these images of stained normal mouse wound tissue (left), and mouse tissue with RHAMM blocked, the green stain shows collagen, the white layers are fat, and the red stain highlights keratinocytes, hair follicles and muscle. The images show that the subcutaneous fat layers in the RHAMM blocked tissue are significantly thicker than those of the normal mouse wound tissue. Credit: Berkeley Lab