Measurement of apoptotic second messenger expression in skin cells isolated from tissue collected during face lifting surgery in patients of different age groups

Abstract

The aim of this work was to measure the expression of proapoptotic signaling proteins, Bad, Bax, Bak, Bim, Bid, and 14-3-3, as well as caspase-2 and caspase-9, in skin cells and subcutaneous adipose tissue isolated from tissues collected during face lifting surgery. Methods. Skin and subcutaneous tissue samples were isolated at the very beginning of the operation and after its completion; then viable cells were isolated from the samples. The cells were stained with antibodies to apoptosis signaling molecules and analyzed with a FACSCalibur flow cytometer using SimulSet software. Statistical analysis was performed with BIOSTAT software. Results. Skin cells isolated at the end of the operation were more severely damaged compared with control samples (cells isolated at the very beginning of the operation and not subjected to ischemia). In the cells obtained after the surgery, effects of ischemia/ reperfusion were observed. The cells isolated after the face lifting surgery contained activated apoptotic signals associated with mitochondria, as indicated by increased expression of proapoptotic proteins and their phosphorylated forms. The proapoptotic protein expression was analyzed based on the patients’ age. It was found that in the group older than 50 years, all indexes significantly exceeded both the normal range and respective values in younger female patients. Conclusion. The study results showed activation of proapoptotic signaling pathways associated with mitochondria in skin cells and subcutaneous adipose tissue isolated during face lifting surgery along with aggravation of apoptosis as the patient ages.