Collagen XVIIα1 in Skin and Hair Aging: Mechanisms, Stem Cell Niche Regulation, and Translational Strategies

The document examines the role of Collagen XVIIα1 in skin and hair aging, emphasizing its critical function in maintaining the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) and supporting stem cell adhesion and regeneration. With age, collagen XVIIα1 levels decrease, leading to weakened DEJ integrity, photoaging, and impaired repair. In hair follicles, this decline is associated with stem cell exhaustion and hair aging. The review discusses potential translational strategies, including protease blockade and recombinant human collagen XVII, while highlighting the need for more comprehensive human studies to better understand its mechanisms.