IKKα mediates UVB-induced cell apoptosis by regulating p53 pathway activation

Synergistic Effect of Human Papillomavirus and Environmental Factors on Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma: Insights from a Taiwanese Cohort

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been implicated in various cancers, including those affecting the skin. The study assessed the long-term risk of skin cancer associated with HPV infection in Taiwan region, using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database between 2007 and 2015. Our analysis revealed a significant increase in skin cancer risk among those with HPV, particularly for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the subtype with the highest observed adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 5.97, 95% CI: 4.96-7.19). The overall aHR for HPV-related skin cancer was 5.22 (95% CI: 4.70-5.80), indicating a notably higher risk in the HPV-positive group. The risk of skin cancer was further stratified by type, with basal cell carcinoma (aHR = 4.88, 95% CI: 4.14-5.74), and melanoma (aHR = 4.36, 95% CI: 2.76-6.89) also showing significant associations with HPV. The study also highlighted regional variations, with increased risks in southern Taiwan and the Kaohsiung-Pingtung area. Key findings emphasize the importance of sun protection, particularly in regions of high UV exposure and among individuals in high-risk occupations. This research contributes to a better understanding of the complex interactions between HPV and skin cancer risk, reinforcing the importance of preventive strategies in public health.

Dietary supplementation with α-ionone alleviates chronic UVB exposure-induced skin photoaging in mice

Photoaging is widely regarded as the most significant contributor to skin aging damage. It is triggered by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and typically manifests as dryness and the formation of wrinkles. Nutritional intervention is a viable strategy for preventing and treating skin photoaging. In previous studies, we demonstrated that α-ionone had ameliorating effects on photoaging in both epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Here, we investigated the potential anti-photoaging effects of dietary α-ionone using a UVB-irradiated male C57BL/6N mouse model. Our findings provided compelling evidence that dietary α-ionone alleviates wrinkle formation, skin dryness, and epidermal thickening in chronic UVB-exposed mice. α-Ionone accumulated in mouse skin after 14 weeks of dietary intake of α-ionone. α-Ionone increased collagen density and boosted the expression of collagen genes, while attenuating the UVB-induced increase of matrix metalloproteinase genes in the skin tissues. Furthermore, α-ionone suppressed the expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotypes and reduced the expression of the senescence marker p21 and DNA damage marker p53 in the skin of UVB-irradiated mice. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that α-ionone modifies gene expression profiles of skin. Multiple pathway enrichment analyses on both the differential genes and the entire genes revealed that α-ionone significantly affects multiple physiological processes and signaling pathways associated with skin health and diseases, of which the p53 signaling pathway may be the key signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings reveal that dietary α-ionone intervention holds promise in reducing the risks of skin photoaging, offering a potential strategy to address skin aging concerns.

Emerging role and therapeutic implications of p53 in intervertebral disc degeneration

Lower back pain (LBP) is a common degenerative musculoskeletal disease that imposes a huge economic burden on both individuals and society. With the aggravation of social aging, the incidence of LBP has increased globally. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the primary cause of LBP. Currently, IDD treatment strategies include physiotherapy, medication, and surgery; however, none can address the root cause by ending the degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVDs). However, in recent years, targeted therapy based on specific molecules has brought hope for treating IDD. The tumor suppressor gene p53 produces a transcription factor that regulates cell metabolism and survival. Recently, p53 was shown to play an important role in maintaining IVD microenvironment homeostasis by regulating IVD cell senescence, apoptosis, and metabolism by activating downstream target genes. This study reviews research progress regarding the potential role of p53 in IDD and discusses the challenges of targeting p53 in the treatment of IDD. This review will help to elucidate the pathogenesis of IDD and provide insights for the future development of precision treatments.

Proteomics analysis to investigate the potential mechanism of theacrine against UV-induced skin photodamage

AIM

This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of theacrine treatment of UV-induced skin photodamage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) relative quantitative proteomics analysis was used to characterize the proteins and pathways associated with the ability of theacrine to combat photodamage in mouse skin by modeling UV irradiation of the backs of ICR mice.

RESULTS

Apoptosis-related proteins and signaling pathways play a key role in the ability of theacrine to protect against skin photodamage, according to proteomic and bioinformatics analysis; molecular docking and Western blotting further revealed that theacrine was associated with apoptosis-related proteins (p53, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and cleaved-caspase-3) with strong binding affinity, which can significantly reduce skin cell apoptosis induced by UV exposure.

CONCLUSION

The findings revealed that theacrine can reduce UVB-induced epidermal damage by controlling the apoptosis signaling pathway, implying that theacrine could be a useful anti-UVB damage agent.

Beneficial effect of ζ-carotene-like compounds on acute UVB irradiation by alleviating inflammation and regulating intestinal flora

ζ-Carotene is a key intermediate in the carotenoid pathway, but owing to its low content and difficulties in isolation, its application is restricted. In this study, three genes (pnCrtE, pnCrtB, and pnCrtP) in the carotenoid pathway of Antarctic moss were identified, recombined, and expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21(DE3). The expression product was identified as one of the ζ-carotenes by UV absorbance spectrum, thin layer chromatography (TLC), and super-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrum (UPLC-MS), and was called a ζ-carotene-like compound (CLC). Excessive exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation is one of the main risk factors for skin photodamage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of CLC on UVB-induced skin photodamage in mice. In this paper, through histological examinations (hematoxylin-eosin, HE; Masson and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling, Tunel), biochemical index detection (reactive oxygen species, ROS; inflammatory factors; cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers, CPDs and hyaluronic acid, HA), quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and intestinal content flora, etc., it is concluded that CLC has the potential to enhance skin antioxidant capacity by activating the nuclear transcription factor/antioxidant reaction element (Nrf2/ARE) pathway and also reduce skin inflammation and aging by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Moreover, the regulation of intestinal flora may potentially mitigate skin damage induced by UVB radiation. This research not only developed a green and sustainable platform for the efficient synthesis of CLC but also laid a foundation for its application in functional food and medicine for skin resistance against UVB damage.

Cell death in skin function, inflammation, and disease

Cell death is an essential process that plays a vital role in restoring and maintaining skin homeostasis. It supports recovery from acute injury and infection and regulates barrier function and immunity. Cell death can also provoke inflammatory responses. Loss of cell membrane integrity with lytic forms of cell death can incite inflammation due to the uncontrolled release of cell contents. Excessive or poorly regulated cell death is increasingly recognised as contributing to cutaneous inflammation. Therefore, drugs that inhibit cell death could be used therapeutically to treat certain inflammatory skin diseases. Programmes to develop such inhibitors are already underway. In this review, we outline the mechanisms of skin-associated cell death programmes; apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, NETosis, and the epidermal terminal differentiation programme, cornification. We discuss the evidence for their role in skin inflammation and disease and discuss therapeutic opportunities for targeting the cell death machinery.

Evaluation of Biological Effects and Transcriptome Changes Induced by LED Based Narrow Band UVB Phototherapy

Ultraviolet (UV), particularly UVB, is widely used in the treatment of skin diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, mycosis fungoides, and pruritus. Recently, there has been a trend of replacing broad band UVB (BB-UVB) units with narrow band UVB (NB-UVB), as studies have demonstrated that NB-UVB is more efficacious in the treatment of psoriasis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biological effects and transcriptome changes induced by light emitting diode based NB-UVB (NB-UVB LED) phototherapy. Cell viability and the cell migration ability was significantly decreased post treatment, as well as apoptosis and ROS levels were remarkably increased. NB-UVB induced S phase arrest was observed 12 hours post irradiation. Bioinformatics analysis of transcriptome sequencing data revealed that NB-UVB LED irradiation induced dose-depended changes in multiple key signaling pathways, such as PI3K and cytoskeletal-related pathways. The depolymerization of cytoskeleton induced by NB-UVB was observed 24 hours post treatment. In addition, the expression levels of cytoskeleton related proteins FN1, ITGB4, ITGA1, RAC2 and DOCK1 decreased significantly 12 hours after irradiation. Our results indicated that NB-UVB LED may serve as a novel option for the development of NB-UVB phototherapy devices.

Role of Thioredoxin-1 and its inducers in human health and diseases

Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is a small redox-active protein normally found in mammalian cells that responds to the changing redox environment by contributing electrons or regulating related proteins. There is growing evidence that Trx-1 has multiple functions, including cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. To date, researchers have found that Trx-1 deficiency leads to severe damage in various disease models, such as atherosclerosis, cerebral ischemia, diabetes and tumors. Conversely, activation of Trx-1 has a protective effect against these diseases. Accordingly, a variety of Trx-1 inducers have been widely used in the clinic with significant therapeutic value. In this paper, we summarize the pathogenesis of Trx-1 involvement in the above-mentioned diseases and describe the protective effects of Trx-1 inducers on them.

Heptapeptide Isolated from Isochrysis zhanjiangensis Exhibited Anti-Photoaging Potential via MAPK/AP-1/MMP Pathway and Anti-Apoptosis in UVB-Irradiated HaCaT Cells

Marine microalgae can be used as sustainable protein sources in many fields with positive effects on human and animal health. DAPTMGY is a heptapeptide isolated from Isochrysis zhanjiangensis which is a microalga. In this study, we evaluated its anti-photoaging properties and mechanism of action in human immortalized keratinocytes cells (HaCaT). The results showed that DAPTMGY scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increase the level of endogenous antioxidants. In addition, through the exploration of its mechanism, it was determined that DAPIMGY exerted anti-photoaging effects. Specifically, the heptapeptide inhibits UVB-induced apoptosis through down-regulation of p53, caspase-8, caspase-3 and Bax and up-regulation of Bcl-2. Thus, DAPTMGY, isolated from I. zhanjiangensis, exhibits protective effects against UVB-induced damage.