Human keratinocytes respond to UV rays by developing a fast adaptive response that contributes to maintaining their functions and survival. We investigated the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in transducing the UV signals in normal human keratinocytes. We found that UVA, UVB or UVC induced a marked and persistent activation of p38, whereas c-Jun N-terminal kinase or extracellular signal-regulated kinase were less or not activated respectively. Inhibition of p38 activity by expression of a dominant-negative mutant of p38 or with SB203580 impaired cell viability and led to an increase in UVB-induced apoptosis. This sensitization to apoptosis was independent of caspase activities. Inhibition of p38 did not sensitize transformed HaCaT keratinocytes to UVB-induced apoptosis. In normal keratinocytes, expression of a dominant-negative mutant of p53 increased UVB-induced cell death, pointing to a role for p53. In these cells, UVB triggered a p38-dependent phosphorylation of p53 on Ser-15. This phosphorylation was associated with an SB203580-sensitive accumulation of p53, even in the presence of a serine phosphatase inhibitor. Accumulated p53 was localized mainly in the cytoplasm, independently of CRM1 nuclear export. In HaCaT cells, p53 was localized exclusively in the nucleus and its distribution and level were not affected by UVB or p38 inhibition. However, UVB induced an SB203580-insensitive phosphorylation on Ser-15 of mutated p53. Overall, our results suggest that, in normal human keratinocytes, protection against UVB depends on p38-mediated phosphorylation and stabilization of p53 and is tightly associated with the cytoplasmic sequestration of wild-type p53. We conclude that the p38/p53 pathway plays a key role in the adaptive response of normal human keratinocytes against UV stress.
Chronic exposure to sunlight may induce skin damage such as photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. These harmful effects are mostly caused by ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays. Yet, less is known about the contribution of low UVB doses to skin damage. The aim of this study was to determine the tissue changes induced by repeated exposure to a suberythemal dose of UVB radiation. Human keratinocytes in monolayer cultures and in skin equivalent were irradiated daily with 8 mJ/cm2 of UVB. Then structural, ultrastructural, and biochemical alterations were evaluated. The results show that exposure to UVB led to a generalized destabilization of the epidermis structure. In irradiated skin equivalents, keratinocytes displayed differentiated morphology and a reduced capacity to proliferate. Ultrastructural analysis revealed, not only unusual aggregation of intermediate filaments, but also disorganized desmosomes and larger mitochondria in basal cells. UVB irradiation also induced the secretion of metalloproteinase-9, which may be responsible for degradation of type IV collagen at the basement membrane. DNA damage analysis showed that both single and repeated exposure to UVB led to formation of (6-4) photoproducts and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Although the (6-4) photoproducts were repaired within 24 h after irradiation, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers accumulated over the course of the experiment. These studies demonstrate that, even at a suberythemal dose, repeated exposure to UVB causes significant functional and molecular damage to keratinocytes, which might eventually predispose to skin cancer.
The present study examined fibroblasts and keratinocytes in monolayers and cultured within dermal and skin substitutes and their use in assessing the effect of UVB irradiation on cutaneous cells and extracellular matrix organization. Dermal substitutes (DS) were produced by incorporating normal fibroblasts into a collagen lattice and skin substitutes (SS) were obtained by seeding normal keratinocytes onto the DS. Keratinocyte monolayers, fibroblast monolayers, DS, and SS were exposed once a day to a UVB source (10 mJ/cm2). The irradiation protocol was stopped when the keratinocytes of the non-irradiated cultures (control groups) had reached confluence. Microscopic observations revealed that UVB radiation decreased both fibroblast and keratinocyte growth and enhanced their differentiation resulting in (1) less fibroblasts in the DS and SS, and (2) incomplete coverage of the DS by keratinocytes. Microscopic observations and histological analyses revealed major morphological changes. Both cell types became bigger and presented wide nuclei and vacuoles in the cytoplasm. No organized deep epidermal layer was observed in irradiated compared to non-irradiated SS. Irradiated DS and SS extracellular matrices showed an irregular aggregating collagen fiber organization with serious discrepancies suggesting large defects in the structural properties of the extracellular matrix. The present study demonstrated that exposure to a UVB source led to profound morphological and functional disturbances in both cutaneous cells and in the extracellular matrices of the DS and SS. The present technology would be of great interest for step-by-step studies of UVR effects on cutaneous cell morphology and functional properties, and could be an alternative to using animals for pharmacological and toxicological evaluations.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.