Zellulin® Nature-Coded Peptides.
Created by Nature, Sustainably Replicated with Biotech.

As we age, the collagen fibrils in our skin begin to break down and become disorganized, contributing to the visible signs of aging. While boosting collagen is often emphasized, healthy collagen fibril formation is even more crucial for preserving youthful-looking skin.

Collagen fibril structures vary significantly; they may be thin and transparent, as found in the cornea¹, or thick and bundled, as seen in tendons². The arrangement and properties of these fibrils are crucial to their functions. What determines how collagen fibrils align?

In vitro, collagen molecules can self-organize into fibrils³. However, without “guidance” from the cell, this process results in a random gel that lacks the specific orientation and structure required for functional tissues under in vivo conditions. So, how do cells provide the “guidance”?

To produce functional fibrils and tissues, cells secrete not only collagen but also various signaling proteins to “guide” the fibril formation process, also known as collagen fibrillogenesis.

Listed below are examples of signaling proteins produced by cells that are important for skin health.

Decorin: Enhancing Collagen Assembly

Decorin binds to collagen fibrils, promoting their proper alignment and organization. Studies have shown that Decorin-deficient mice suffer from fragile skin, highlighting its importance in maintaining skin strength and resilience. The presence of Decorin ensures that collagen fibrils are correctly assembled, contributing to the skin’s structural integrity.

Fibulin: Catalyzing Cross-Linking

Fibulin supports copper ion transfer, which is a critical step in the elastin-collagen cross-linking process. This cross-linking is vital for the formation of strong and elastic fibers in connective tissues. Research has demonstrated that Fibulin-deficient mice often die of artery and diaphragmatic rupture due to disrupted collagen and elastic fiber formation.

Lumican: Regulating Collagen Fibril Growth

Lumican ensures that collagen fibrils grow at a controlled rate, preventing abnormalities in their size and structure. Lumican-deficient mice exhibit skin laxity, a condition arising from deregulated growth of collagen fibrils that result in abnormally thick collagen fibrils. By controlling the growth of collagen fibrils, Lumican plays a critical role in maintaining the proper structure and function of tissues.

Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF): Promoting Collagen Production

CTGF stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen, supporting tissue repair and regeneration. The balanced secretion of CTGF ensures that collagen production is sufficient for tissue maintenance and repair without leading to adverse effects.

“Cell-Identical Multi-Peptides” Biotechnology

Cells produce hundreds of signaling proteins in precise amounts and proportions to ensure proper functions.

While these proteins aren’t available from plants and are challenging to extract from animal tissues, advances in biotechnology have made it possible to produce them by replicating the cellular biological process.

The Zellulin® BioPlatform, for instance, uses patented technologies to sustainably cultivate cells from a single fish and produce essential signaling proteins and peptides. Zellulin® ZelluGEN™ is a new cell-identical biopeptide complex manufactured at an ISO22716-certified facility, clinically proven to promote skin health.

In a placebo-controlled clinical trial, an eye cream containing 1% ZelluGEN™ biopeptide complex was tested on 60 female participants. After 28 days, the treatment group experienced significant improvement in skin hydration, barrier function, elasticity, firmness and dermal density.

Zellulin® ZelluGEN™ is water-soluble and suitable for use as an advanced multifunctional active ingredient, ideal for anti-aging formulations. It demonstrated notable clinical efficacy in enhancing skin conditions without any adverse effects.

Participants reported high satisfaction, with many expressing a willingness to continue using the product and recommend it to others. The clinical study validates ZelluGEN™ claims of moisturizing, improving skin barrier function, and enhancing skin elasticity and firmness.

 

Manufacturer
Avant Proteins Pte. Ltd.
Unit No. 06-03
Tee Yih Jia Food Hub
5 Senoko Road,
Singapore 758137

Contact
sales@zellulin.tech
+65 8758 0863

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¹ Keith M. Meek et al., “Structural control of corneal transparency, refractive power and dynamics”, https://doi.org/10.1038/, 23 February 2024
² Photo credit: Copyright 2013, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
³ Richard W. Loo et al., “In vitro Synthesis of Native, Fibrous Long Spacing and Segmental Long Spacing Collagen”, JOVE September 20th, 2012
⁴ Suzanne E.G. Fligiel et al., “Collagen Degradation in Aged/Photodamaged Skin In Vivo and After Exposure to Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 In Vitro”, JID Volume 120, Issue 5, p842-848 May 2003