Different Effects of Elastase on Dermal Elastic Fibers with Age

The effect of elastase on dermal elastic fibers from three age groups (children, young and old adults) has been investigated using ultrathin sections embedded in Epon. There were significant differences in the effect of elastase among the age groups; younger elastin was more rapidly digested by elastase than older elastin. In children and young adults, digested areas by elastase were first recognized as tiny round holes scattered in the amorphous material of the elastic fiber, extending to the large part of the fiber except for microfibrils. In old adults, digested areas were limited to the only small part of the elastic fiber.