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Regenerative Medicine and Plastic Surgery pp 201–209Cite as

Iron Chelators & HIF-1α: A New Frontier for Skin Rejuvenation

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Abstract

Advanced age brings changes to all components of the integumentary system with consequent signs of deterioration on epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. During the aging process, skin gets progressively thinner and the blood capillaries of the dermis become sparse and more fragile, resulting in wrinkles and a paler, translucent appearance. Similar to chronic wounds, skin-aging is characterized by dysfunction of key cellular regulatory pathways. Recent evidence suggests that the same mechanisms, which hinder the physiologic healing response in chronic wounds, are the reason for impaired tissue homeostasis in aged skin. The Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) pathway represents one key-mechanism in both conditions. The HIF-1 pathway is significantly involved in tissue homeostasis and neovascularization. In this chapter, we describe the promising possibilities of a therapeutic modulation of hypoxia inducible signaling pathways by repurposing iron chelators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Andrea Pagani & Matthias M. Aitzetmüller

  2. Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Westfaelische Wilhelms, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany

    Matthias M. Aitzetmüller

  3. Department for Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Division of Experimental Plastic Surgery, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Dominik Duscher

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  1. Andrea Pagani
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  2. Matthias M. Aitzetmüller
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Division of Experimental Plastic Surgery, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Dominik Duscher

  2. Private Practice, Tustin, CA, USA

    Melvin A. Shiffman

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Pagani, A., Aitzetmüller, M.M., Duscher, D. (2019). Iron Chelators & HIF-1α: A New Frontier for Skin Rejuvenation. In: Duscher, D., Shiffman, M.A. (eds) Regenerative Medicine and Plastic Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19958-6_19

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