Skin-innervating glutamatergic neurons modulate aging.

Glutamatergic neurons expressing Nefh in skin nerves regulate collagen maintenance and delay aging, with Nefh reduction accelerating skin aging in mice.

• Why it matters: Understanding how peripheral nerve signals influence skin aging can reveal new therapeutic targets to combat age-related skin deterioration, which is currently poorly understood.
• What they did: The study examined skin innervation and identified Nefh-positive glutamatergic neurons, using genetic deletion and glutamate supplementation in mice to assess effects on fibroblast function and collagen levels.
• The result: Nefh loss in skin neurons promotes fibroblast senescence and collagen decline, while glutamate treatment mitigates aging signs, highlighting neuromodulation pathways as potential interventions for skin aging.