Following the administration of a drug to block the activity of Granzyme B, researchers discovered that, despite sun exposure, genetically engineered mice retained youthful looking skin as compared to the aged skin on normal mice. Scientists at the University of British Columbia are investigating the potential for a cosmetic product that will prevent normal, gradual aging of the skin due to UV light exposure.
Elevated levels of Granzyme B, a serine protease, have been implicated in several autoimmune and skin diseases. The role of Granzyme B in atherosclerosis and heart attacks was under investigation by a team of researchers at the University of British Columbia. They were interested in determining if blood vessels of mice lacking Granzyme B were more resistant to hardening and narrowing of the arteries than normal mice. By blocking the activity of Granzyme B in certain places, the researchers were surprised to find that aging and deterioration could be prevented in tissues that depend on collagen, such as skin and blood vessels.
Based on this technology, a Granzyme-B inhibitor is currently being developed by viDA Therapeutics, a research based biotechnology company. Within two years, the company hopes to test a topically applied drug on people with discoid lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease that leads to facial scarring when skin is exposed to sunlight.
If the drug is effective, not only will there be potential for new cosmetic products, but also help for life-threatening conditions such as aneurysms, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diseases caused by the breakdown of collagen and other proteins.
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