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Cited by 20Skin Protection and AgingConnective tissue disorders researchSmoking Behavior and Cessation

The systemic influence of chronic smoking on skin structure and mechanical function

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Langton, Abigail K, Tsoureli‐Nikita, Evridiki, Merrick, Holly, Zhao, Xuegen, Antoniou, Christina, Stratigos, Alexander, Akhtar, Riaz, Derby, Brian +3 more·2020·The Journal of Pathology
DOI 10.1002/path.5476
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Abstract

One of the major functions of human skin is to provide protection from the environment. Although we cannot entirely avoid, for example, sun exposure, it is likely that exposure to other environmental factors could affect cutaneous function. A number of studies have identified smoking as one such factor that leads to both facial wrinkle formation and a decline in skin function. In addition to the direct physical effects of tobacco smoke on skin, its inhalation has additional profound systemic effects for the smoker. The adverse effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems from smoking are well known. Central to the pathological changes associated with smoking is the elastic fibre, a key component of the extracellular matrices of lungs. In this study we examined the systemic effect of chronic smoking (>40 cigarettes/day; >5 years) on the histology of the cutaneous elastic fibre system, the nanostructure and mechanics of one of its key components, the fibrillin‐rich microfibril, and the micromechanical stiffness of the dermis and epidermis. We show that photoprotected skin of chronic smokers exhibits significant remodelling of the elastic fibre network (both elastin and fibrillin‐rich microfibrils) as compared to the skin of age‐ and sex‐matched non‐smokers. This remodelling is not associated with increased gelatinase activity (as identified by in situ zymography). Histological remodelling is accompanied by significant ultrastructural changes to extracted fibrillin‐rich microfibrils. Finally, using scanning acoustic microscopy, we demonstrated that chronic smoking significantly increases the stiffness of both the dermis and the epidermis. Taken together, these data suggest an unappreciated systemic effect of chronic inhalation of tobacco smoke on the cutaneous elastic fibre network. Such changes may in part underlie the skin wrinkling and loss of skin elasticity associated with smoking. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

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  • Long-term exposure to cigarette smoke alters the composition and distribution of elastin and microfibrils in the dermis, increasing skin stiffness.

    “Long-term exposure alters the composition and distribution of elastin and microfibrils in the dermis, increasing skin stiffness90.”

    From Air Pollution and Skin Diseases (2025) · cites this paper as [90]

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Cited by

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Authors
Langton, A. K., Tsoureli‐Nikita, E., Merrick, H., Zhao, X., Antoniou, C., Stratigos, A., Akhtar, R., Derby, B., Sherratt, M. J., Watson, R. E., & Griffiths, C. E.
Affiliations
  • Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (GB)
  • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
  • University of Manchester (GB)
  • University of Liverpool (GB)
Corresponding author
Langton, Abigail K
ORCID
Venue
The Journal of Pathology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2020-06-19
Volume
251
Issue
4
Pages
420-428
ISSN
  • 0022-3417 (ISSN-L)
  • 1096-9896
DOI
10.1002/path.5476
OpenAlex
W3028267254
Cited by
20
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4
FWCI
2.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • The Journal of Pathology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Medical Research Council Canada (G1001398)
  • National Institute for Health Research (National Institute for Health Research Manchester)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Connective tissue disorders research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
Keywords
chronic smoking, tobacco smoke, elastin, extracellular matrix remodeling, skin wrinkling, skin elasticity, scanning acoustic microscopy, in situ zymography, gelatinase activity
MeSH terms
Fibrillins, Tobacco Smoking, Adult, Biopsy, Elasticity, Elastin, Epidermis, Extracellular Matrix, Female, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Male, Middle Aged, Skin, Skin Aging, Dermis, Microfibrils

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