Repair Effects of Elastin Peptides From Different Tissue and Recombinant Sources on UVB ‐Induced Photoaging Damage in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

To compare the repair effects of elastin peptides (EPs) from different tissue and recombinant sources on ultraviolet B (UVB)‐induced photoaging damage in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), four EP preparations were evaluated: bovine ligament‐derived elastin peptide (BL), bovine cardiovascular tissue‐derived elastin peptide (BC), bonito‐derived elastin peptide (Bon), and recombinant human elastin peptide (RH). These preparations represented two bovine tissue‐derived EPs, one marine‐derived EP, and one recombinant human EP. Their regulatory effects on extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, inflammatory responses, and antioxidant‐related indicators were systematically evaluated. The molecular weight distribution and amino acid composition of the four EPs were first characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and amino acid analysis. Subsequently, the UVB irradiation dose and working concentrations of EPs were determined using the Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1), matrix metalloproteinase‐12 (MMP‐12), type I collagen (COL I), elastin (ELN), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and related genes were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The results demonstrated significant differences in molecular weight distribution and amino acid composition among the four EPs. RH exhibited the most concentrated molecular weight distribution, whereas Bon showed a relatively higher proportion of medium‐molecular‐weight fractions. BL and BC displayed relatively similar overall amino acid compositions. Functional evaluation further revealed distinct anti‐photoaging characteristics among the four EPs. BL showed the most pronounced inhibitory effects on MMP‐12 and TNF‐α expression, BC exhibited the strongest effects in suppressing MMP‐1 expression and enhancing antioxidant‐related gene expression, Bon demonstrated the greatest restorative effects on COL I and collagen type I alpha 1 chain ( COL1A1 ) mRNA expression, and RH showed the most prominent effects in promoting ELN recovery and suppressing IL‐6 expression. Collectively, EPs from different tissue and recombinant sources exhibited distinct functional preferences in the UVB‐induced HDF photoaging model, which may be associated with their molecular weight distribution and amino acid composition characteristics. This study provides an experimental basis for the precise development and differential application of elastin peptide materials.