A university team studied the role of competition among stem cells in the aging of tail skin in mice  The results showed that the competition among stem cells was driven by collagen COL17A1  They found that there were differences in the expression of COL17A1 among different stem cells  Stem cells with high level of expression of COL17A1 were firmly anchored in the basement membrane, divided symmetrically, and squeezed out nearby cells with lower level of expression of COL17A1  This competition between cells helps to maintain the overall structure and integrity of the skin  Studies have also shown that the expression of COL17A1 decreases with age and due to stress such as oxidation or ultraviolet radiation
Eventually, the expression of COL17A1 in all stem cells decreases, and the skin ages
Complete sunscreen measures can effectively improve the expression level of COL17A1.