The dose dependence of cyclobutane dimer induction and repair in UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes

Inhibitors of Nucleotide Excision Repair Decrease UVB-Induced Mutagenesis-An In Vitro Study

The high incidence of skin cancers in the Caucasian population is primarily due to the accumulation of DNA damage in epidermal cells induced by chronic ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure. UVB-induced DNA photolesions, including cyclobutane–pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), promote mutations in skin cancer driver genes. In humans, CPDs are repaired by nucleotide excision repair (NER). Several commonly used and investigational medications negatively influence NER in experimental systems. Despite these molecules’ ability to decrease NER activity in vitro, the role of these drugs in enhancing skin cancer risk is unclear. In this study, we investigated four molecules (veliparib, resveratrol, spironolactone, and arsenic trioxide) with well-known NER-inhibitory potential in vitro, using UVB-irradiated CHO epithelial and HaCaT immortalized keratinocyte cell lines. Relative CPD levels, hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase gene mutation frequency, cell viability, cell cycle progression, and protein expression were assessed. All four molecules significantly elevated CPD levels in the genome 24 h after UVB irradiation. However, veliparib, spironolactone, and arsenic trioxide reduced the mutagenic potential of UVB, while resveratrol did not alter UVB-induced mutation formation. UVB-induced apoptosis was enhanced by spironolactone and arsenic-trioxide treatment, while veliparib caused significantly prolonged cell cycle arrest and increased autophagy. Spironolactone also enhanced the phosphorylation level of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), while arsenic trioxide modified UVB-driven mitochondrial fission. Resveratrol induced only mild changes in the cellular UVB response. Our results show that chemically inhibited NER does not result in increased mutagenic effects. Furthermore, the UVB-induced mutagenic potential can be paradoxically mitigated by NER-inhibitor molecules. We identified molecular changes in the cellular UVB response after NER-inhibitor treatment, which may compensate for the mitigated DNA repair. Our findings show that metabolic cellular response pathways are essential to consider in evaluating the skin cancer risk–modifying effects of pharmacological compounds.

Dose and time effects of solar-simulated ultraviolet radiation on the in vivo human skin transcriptome

Background

Terrestrial ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes erythema, oxidative stress, DNA mutations and skin cancer. Skin can adapt to these adverse effects by DNA repair, apoptosis, keratinization and tanning.

Objectives

To investigate the transcriptional response to fluorescent solar‐simulated radiation (FSSR) in sun‐sensitive human skin in vivo.

Methods

Seven healthy male volunteers were exposed to 0, 3 and 6 standard erythemal doses (SED). Skin biopsies were taken at 6 h and 24 h after exposure. Gene and microRNA expression were quantified with next generation sequencing. A set of candidate genes was validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR); and wavelength dependence was examined in other volunteers through microarrays.

Results

The number of differentially expressed genes increased with FSSR dose and decreased between 6 and 24 h. Six hours after 6 SED, 4071 genes were differentially expressed, but only 16 genes were affected at 24 h after 3 SED. Genes for apoptosis and keratinization were prominent at 6 h, whereas inflammation and immunoregulation genes were predominant at 24 h. Validation by qPCR confirmed the altered expression of nine genes detected under all conditions; genes related to DNA repair and apoptosis; immunity and inflammation; pigmentation; and vitamin D synthesis. In general, candidate genes also responded to UVA1 (340–400 nm) and/or UVB (300 nm), but with variations in wavelength dependence and peak expression time. Only four microRNAs were differentially expressed by FSSR.

Conclusions

The UV radiation doses of this acute study are readily achieved daily during holidays in the sun, suggesting that the skin transcriptional profile of ‘typical’ holiday makers is markedly deregulated.

What's already known about this topic?

The skin's transcriptional profile underpins its adverse (i.e. inflammation) and adaptive molecular, cellular and clinical responses (i.e. tanning, hyperkeratosis) to solar ultraviolet radiation.

Few studies have assessed microRNA and gene expression in vivo in humans, and there is a lack of information on dose, time and waveband effects.

What does this study add?

Acute doses of fluorescent solar‐simulated radiation (FSSR), of similar magnitude to those received daily in holiday situations, markedly altered the skin's transcriptional profiles.

The number of differentially expressed genes was FSSR‐dose‐dependent, reached a peak at 6 h and returned to baseline at 24 h.

The initial transcriptional response involved apoptosis and keratinization, followed by inflammation and immune modulation. In these conditions, microRNA expression was less affected than gene expression.

Linked Comment:Hart. Br J Dermatol 2020; 182:1328–1329.

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Formulation of injectable glycyrrhizic acid-hydroxycamptothecin micelles as new generation of DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor for enhanced antitumor activity

To develop a new drug delivery system is one of the useful approaches to break through the limitation of hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT), a typical DNA topoisomerase I (Topo I) inhibitor in clinical appliance. Injectable glycyrrhizic acid-hydroxycamptothecin (GL-HCPT) micelles that were able to dramatically improve the solubility and stability of HCPT were prepared through self-assembly process and evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. With a mean particle size (PS) of 105.7 ± 9.7 nm and a drug loading (DL) of 9.0 ± 1.5%, GL-HCPT micelles were rapidly internalized by HepG2 cells after 1 h, significantly increasing the intracellular accumulation of HCPT. Compared with the current used HCPT injection and HCPT/GL physical mixture, GL-HCPT micelles showed enhanced antitumor activity against liver cancer cells (HepG2 and Huh7) as well as a superior suppression on the tumor growth of HepG2 tumor bearing mice. Interestingly, GL-HCPT micelles gathered in liver and simultaneously reduced the drug accumulation in normal tissues, thereby exhibiting minimal cytotoxicity to human normal liver cells (LO2). Therefore, we offered a convenient and cost-effective strategy to construct an intravenous drug delivery system (GL-HCPT micelles) as new generation of DNA Topo I inhibitor for enhanced cancer chemotherapy.

The acute effects of ultraviolet radiation on the blood transcriptome are independent of plasma 25OHD3

The molecular basis of many health outcomes attributed to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that they may originate from transcriptional changes in blood cells. This was determined by assessing the effect of fluorescent solar simulated radiation (FSSR) on the transcriptional profile of peripheral blood pre- and 6h, 24h and 48h post-exposure in nine healthy volunteers. Expression of 20 genes was down-regulated and one was up-regulated at 6h after FSSR. All recovered to baseline expression at 24h or 48h. These genes have been associated with immune regulation, cancer and blood pressure; health effects attributed to vitamin D via solar UVR exposure. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25OHD₃] levels increased over time after FSSR and were maximal at 48h. The increase was more pronounced in participants with low basal 25OHD₃ levels. Mediation analyses suggested that changes in gene expression due to FSSR were independent of 25OHD₃ and blood cell subpopulations.

Insight in DNA Repair of UV-induced Pyrimidine Dimers by Chromatographic Methods

UV-induced formation of pyrimidine dimers in DNA is a major deleterious event in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Accumulation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts can lead to cell death or be at the origin of mutations. In skin, UV induction of DNA damage is a major initiating event in tumorigenesis. To counteract these deleterious effects, all cell types possess DNA repair machinery, such as nucleotide excision repair and, in some cell types, direct reversion. Different analytical approaches were used to assess the efficiency of repair and decipher the enzymatic mechanisms. We presently review the information provided by chromatographic methods, which are complementary to biochemical assays, such as immunological detection and electrophoresis-based techniques. Chromatographic assays are interesting in their ability to provide quantitative data on a wide range of damage and are also valuable tools for the identification of repair intermediates.

Concurrent beneficial (vitamin D production) and hazardous (cutaneous DNA damage) impact of repeated low-level summer sunlight exposures

Background

The concurrent impact of repeated low‐level summer sunlight exposures on vitamin D production and cutaneous DNA damage, potentially leading to mutagenesis and skin cancer, is unknown.

Objectives

This is an experimental study (i) to determine the dual impact of repeated low‐level sunlight exposures on vitamin D status and DNA damage/repair (via both skin and urinary biomarkers) in light‐skinned adults; and (ii) to compare outcomes following the same exposures in brown‐skinned adults.

Methods

Ten white (phototype II) and six South Asian volunteers (phototype V), aged 23–59 years, received 6 weeks’ simulated summer sunlight exposures (95% ultraviolet A/5% ultraviolet B, 1·3 standard erythemal doses three times weekly) wearing summer clothing exposing ~35% body surface area. Assessments made were circulating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], immunohistochemistry for cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD)‐positive nuclei and urinary biomarkers of direct and oxidative (8‐oxo‐deoxyguanosine) DNA damage.

Results

Serum 25(OH)D rose from mean 36·5 ± 13·0 to 54·3 ± 10·5 nmol L⁻¹ (14·6 ± 5·2 to 21·7 ± 4·2 ng mL⁻¹) in phototype II vs. 17·2 ± 6·3 to 25·5 ± 9·5 nmol L⁻¹ (6·9 ± 2·5 to 10·2 ± 3·8 ng mL⁻¹) in phototype V (P < 0·05). Phototype II skin showed CPD‐positive nuclei immediately postcourse, mean 44% (range 27–84) cleared after 24 h, contrasting with minimal DNA damage and full clearance in phototype V (P < 0·001). The findings did not differ from those following single ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Urinary CPDs remained below the detection threshold in both groups; 8‐oxo‐deoxyguanosine was higher in phototype II than V (P = 0·002), but was unaffected by UVR.

Conclusions

Low‐dose summer sunlight exposures confer vitamin D sufficiency in light‐skinned people concurrently with low‐level, nonaccumulating DNA damage. The same exposures produce minimal DNA damage but less vitamin D in brown‐skinned people. This informs tailoring of sun‐exposure policies.

What's already known about this topic?

Repeated low‐level exposures to simulated U.K. sunlight can produce vitamin D sufficiency in light‐skinned people, but the concurrent impact on cutaneous DNA damage is unknown.

What does this study add?

Low‐level simulated sunlight exposures in people of skin phototype II conferred vitamin D sufficiency concurrently with DNA damage, which showed partial clearance at 24 h and no evidence of accumulated damage after 6 weeks of exposures.

The same exposures produced minimal DNA damage but less vitamin D in brown‐skinned people (phototype V).

The findings are informative for sun‐exposure guidance.

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Molecular effects of 1-naphthyl-methylcarbamate and solar radiation exposures on human melanocytes

Carbaryl (1-naphthyl-methylcarbamate), a broad-spectrum insecticide, has recently been associated with the development of cutaneous melanoma in an epidemiological cohort study with U.S. farm workers also exposed to ultraviolet radiation, the main etiologic factor for skin carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that carbaryl exposure may increase deleterious effects of UV solar radiation on skin melanocytes. This study aimed to characterize human melanocytes after individual or combined exposure to carbaryl (100μM) and solar radiation (375mJ/cm²). In a microarray analysis, carbaryl, but not solar radiation, induced an oxidative stress response, evidenced by the upregulation of antioxidant genes, such as Hemeoxygenase-1 (HMOX1), and downregulation of Microphtalmia-associated Transcription Factor (MITF), the main regulator of melanocytic activity; results were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Carbaryl and solar radiation induced a gene response suggestive of DNA damage and cell cycle alteration. The expression of CDKN1A, BRCA1/2 and MDM2 genes was notably more intense in the combined treatment group, in a synergistic manner. Flow cytometry assays demonstrated S-phase cell cycle arrest, reduced apoptosis levels and faster induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) lesions in carbaryl treated groups. Our data suggests that carbaryl is genotoxic to human melanocytes, especially when associated with solar radiation.

Dewar valence isomers, the third type of environmentally relevant DNA photoproducts induced by solar radiation

UV-induced DNA damage is the main initiating event in solar carcinogenesis. UV radiation is known to induce pyrimidine dimers in DNA, including cyclobutane dimers and (6-4) photoproducts which have been extensively studied. In contrast, much less attention has been paid to Dewar valence isomers, the photoisomerisation product of (6-4) photoproducts. Yet, the available data show that Dewar isomers can be produced by exposure to sunlight and may lead to mutations. Dewars are thus environmentally and biologically relevant. The present review summarizes currently available information on the formation, mutagenic properties and repair of this class of UV-induced DNA damage.

European Code against Cancer 4th Edition: Ultraviolet radiation and cancer

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is part of the electromagnetic spectrum emitted naturally from the sun or from artificial sources such as tanning devices. Acute skin reactions induced by UVR exposure are erythema (skin reddening), or sunburn, and the acquisition of a suntan triggered by UVR-induced DNA damage. UVR exposure is the main cause of skin cancer, including cutaneous malignant melanoma, basal-cell carcinoma, and squamous-cell carcinoma. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in fair-skinned populations, and its incidence has increased steeply over recent decades. According to estimates for 2012, about 100,000 new cases of cutaneous melanoma and about 22,000 deaths from it occurred in Europe. The main mechanisms by which UVR causes cancer are well understood. Exposure during childhood appears to be particularly harmful. Exposure to UVR is a risk factor modifiable by individuals' behaviour. Excessive exposure from natural sources can be avoided by seeking shade when the sun is strongest, by wearing appropriate clothing, and by appropriately applying sunscreens if direct sunlight is unavoidable. Exposure from artificial sources can be completely avoided by not using sunbeds. Beneficial effects of sun or UVR exposure, such as for vitamin D production, can be fully achieved while still avoiding too much sun exposure and the use of sunbeds. Taking all the scientific evidence together, the recommendation of the 4th edition of the European Code Against Cancer for ultraviolet radiation is: "Avoid too much sun, especially for children. Use sun protection. Do not use sunbeds."

A new hair follicle-derived human epidermal model for the evaluation of sunscreen genoprotection

Induction of skin cancer is the most deleterious effect of excessive exposure to sunlight. Accurate evaluation of sunscreens to protect the genome is thus of major importance. In particular, the ability of suncare products to prevent the formation of DNA damage should be evaluated more directly since the Sun Protection Factor is only related to erythema induction. For this purpose, we developed an in vitro approach using a recently characterized reconstituted human epidermis (RHE) model engineered from hair follicle. The relevance of this skin substitute in terms of UV-induced genotoxicity was compared to ex vivo explants exposed to solar-simulated radiation (SSR). The yield of bipyrimidine photoproducts, their rate of repair, and the induction of apoptosis were very similar in both types of skin samples. In order to evaluate the protection afforded by sunscreen against DNA damage, bipyrimidine photoproducts were quantified in tissue models following SSR exposure in the presence or absence of a SPF50+ formula. A rather high DNA protection factor of approximately 20 was found in RHE, very similar to that determined for explants. Thus, RHE is a good surrogate to human skin, and also a convenient and useful tool for investigation of the genoprotection of sunscreens.

Nucleotide excision repair is reduced in oral epithelial tissues compared with skin

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure to internal tissues for diagnostic, therapeutic and cosmetic procedures has increased dramatically over the past decade. The greatest increase in UVR exposure of internal tissues occurs in the cosmetic industry where it is combined with oxidizing agents for teeth whitening, often in conjunction with indoor tanning. To address potential carcinogenic risks of these procedures, we analyzed the formation and repair of the DNA photoproducts associated with the signature mutations of UVR. Radioimmunoassay was used to quantify the induction and repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone photoproducts in DNA purified from three reconstructed tissues, EpiDerm(TM) , EpiGingival(TM) and EpiOral(TM) . We observed comparable levels of DNA damage in all tissues immediately after UVR exposure. In contrast, repair was significantly reduced in both oral tissues compared with EpiDerm(TM) . Our data suggest that UVR exposure of oral tissues can result in accumulation of DNA damage and increase the risk for carcinoma and melanoma of the mouth. Because NER is a broad-spectrum defense against DNA damage caused by a variety of agents in addition to UVR, our data suggest that the relatively low NER efficiency observed in oral tissues may have wide-ranging consequences in this highly exposed environment.

UVA1 induces cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers but not 6-4 photoproducts in human skin in vivo

UVB readily induces cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, mainly thymine dimers (TTs), and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs) in DNA. These lesions result in "UVB signature mutations" found in skin cancers. We have investigated the induction of TTs and 6-4PPs in human skin in vivo by broadband UVA1, and have compared this with comparable erythemal doses of monochromatic UVB (300 nm). In vitro and ex vivo studies have shown the production of TTs, without 6-4PPs, by UVA1. We show that UVA1 induces TTs, without 6-4PPs, in the epidermis of healthy volunteers in vivo, whereas UVB induced both photoproducts. UVB induced more TTs than UVA1 for the same level of erythema. The level of UVA1-induced TTs increased with epidermal depth in contrast to a decrease that was seen with UVB. UVA1- and UVB-induced TTs were repaired in epidermal cells at a similar rate. The mechanism by which UVA1 induces TTs is unknown, but a lack of intra-individual correlation between our subjects' UVB and UVA1 minimal erythema doses implies that UVA1 and UVB erythema occur by different mechanisms. Our data suggest that UVA1 may be more carcinogenic than has previously been thought.

Assessment of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers by digital photography in human skin

UV-mediated DNA damage and repair are important mechanisms in research on UV-induced carcinogenesis. UV-induced DNA-damage and repair can be determined by immunohistochemical staining of photoproduct positive nuclei of keratinocytes in the epidermis. We developed a new method of analysing and quantifying thymine dimer (TT-CPD) positive cells in the epidermis. Normal skin of healthy controls was exposed to UVB ex vivo and in vivo. Skin samples were immunohistochemically stained for TT-CPDs. Digital images of the epidermis were quantified for TT-CPDs both visually and digitally. There was a UVB-dose dependent induction of TT-CPDs present in the ex vivo UVB-irradiated skin samples. The linear measurement range of the digital quantification was increased compared to the manual counting. The average 24-hour repair rate of the initiated TT-CPDs elicited by the UVB irradiation at T=0 of the 8 HCs showed a 34% decrease of TT-CPD photoproducts by the manual counting method and a 51% decrease determined by digital counting. The digital quantification method improves immunohistochemical quantification of DNA photo damage. It is more sensitive in measuring the extent of DNA-damage per nucleus.

Assessing the risk of skin damage due to femtosecond laser irradiation

We irradiated freshly excised skin biopsies with four irradiation regimes usually taken for multiphoton imaging. If there is any skin damaging, it is mainly an effect similar to the damaging effects of UV-irradiation. Using fluorescent antibodies against cyclobutane-pyrimidin-dimers (CPDs) in combination with immuno-fluorescence image analysis we quantitatively compared fs-irradiation effects with UV-irradiation (solar simulator). Based on these results we are giving a risk assessment. The results show that multi photon imaging using the parameters described here is in the ballpark of damaging occurring from every day sun exposure.

ATR kinase is required for global genomic nucleotide excision repair exclusively during S phase in human cells

Global-genomic nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER) is the only pathway available to humans for removal, from the genome overall, of highly genotoxic helix-distorting DNA adducts generated by many environmental mutagens and certain chemotherapeutic agents, e.g., UV-induced 6-4 photoproducts (6-4PPs) and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). The ataxia telangiectasia and rad-3-related kinase (ATR) is rapidly activated in response to UV-induced replication stress and proceeds to phosphorylate a plethora of downstream effectors that modulate primarily cell cycle checkpoints but also apoptosis and DNA repair. To investigate whether this critical kinase might participate in the regulation of GG-NER, we developed a novel flow cytometry-based DNA repair assay that allows precise evaluation of GG-NER kinetics as a function of cell cycle. Remarkably, inhibition of ATR signaling in primary human lung fibroblasts by treatment with caffeine, or with siRNA specifically targeting ATR, resulted in total inhibition of 6-4PP removal during S phase, whereas cells repaired normally during either G(0)/G(1) or G(2)/M. Similarly striking S-phase-specific defects in GG-NER of both 6-4PPs and CPDs were documented in ATR-deficient Seckel syndrome skin fibroblasts. Finally, among six diverse model human tumor strains investigated, three manifested complete abrogation of 6-4PP repair exclusively in S-phase populations. Our data reveal a highly novel role for ATR in the regulation of GG-NER uniquely during S phase of the cell cycle, and indicate that many human cancers may be characterized by a defect in this regulation.

Molecular response of nasal mucosa to therapeutic exposure to broad-band ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) phototherapy is a promising new treatment for inflammatory airway diseases. However, the potential carcinogenic risks associated with this treatment are not well understood. UV-specific DNA photoproducts were used as biomarkers to address this issue. Radioimmunoassay was used to quantify cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (6–4) photoproducts in DNA purified from two milieus: nasal mucosa samples from subjects exposed to intranasal phototherapy and human airway (EpiAirway™) and human skin (EpiDerm™) tissue models. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CPD formation and persistence in human nasal biopsies and human tissue models. In subjects exposed to broadband ultraviolet radiation, DNA damage frequencies were determined prior to as well as immediately after treatment and at increasing times post-treatment. We observed significant levels of DNA damage immediately after treatment and efficient removal of the damage within a few days. No residual damage was observed in human subjects exposed to multiple UVB treatments several weeks after the last treatment. To better understand the molecular response of the nasal epithelium to DNA damage, parallel experiments were conducted in EpiAirway and EpiDerm model systems. Repair rates in these two tissues were very similar and comparable to that observed in human skin. The data suggest that the UV-induced DNA damage response of respiratory epithelia is very similar to that of the human epidermis and that nasal mucosa is able to efficiently repair UVB induced DNA damage.

Green tea extract reduces induction of p53 and apoptosis in UVB-irradiated human skin independent of transcriptional controls

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation plays a pivotal role in human skin carcinongenesis. Preclinically, systemically and topically applied green tea extract (GTE) has shown reduction of UV-induced (i) erythema, (ii) DNA damage, (iii) formation of radical oxygen species and (iv) downregulation of numerous factors related to apoptosis, inflammation, differentiation and carcinogenesis. In humans, topical GTE has so far only been tested in limited studies, with usually very high GTE concentrations and over short periods of time. Both chemical stability of GTE and staining properties of highly concentrated green tea polyphenols limit the usability of highly concentrated green tea extracts in cosmetic products. The present study tested the utility of stabilized low-dose GTE as photochemopreventive agents under everyday conditions. We irradiated with up to 100 mJ/cm(2) of UVB light skin patches which were pretreated with either OM24-containing lotion or a placebo lotion. Biopsies were taken from both irradiated and un-irradiated skin for both immunohistochemistry and DNA microarray analysis. We found that while OM24 treatment did not significantly affect UV-induced erythema and thymidine dimer formation, OM24 treatment significantly reduced UV-induced p53 expression in keratinocytes. We also found that OM24 treatment significantly reduced the number of apoptotic keratinocytes (sunburn cells and TUNEL-positive cells). Carefully controlled DNA microarray analyses showed that OM24 treatment does not induce off-target changes in gene expression, reducing the likelihood of unwanted side-effects. Topical GTE (OM24) reduces UVB-mediated epithelial damage already at low, cosmetically usable concentrations, without tachyphylaxis over 5 weeks, suggesting GTE as suitable everyday photochemopreventive agents.

Differential repair of UVB-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in cultured human skin cells and whole human skin

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs) are the two main classes of mutagenic DNA damages induced by UVB radiation. Numerous studies have been devoted so far to their formation and repair in human cells and skin. However, the biochemical methods used often lack the specificity that would allow the individual study of each of the four CPDs and 6-4PPs produced at TT, TC, CT and CC dinucleotides. In the present work, we applied an HPLC-mass spectrometry assay to study the formation and repair of CPDs and 6-4PPs photoproducts in primary cultures of human keratinocytes and fibroblasts as well as in whole human skin. We first observed that the yield of dimeric lesions was slightly higher in fibroblasts than in keratinocytes. In contrast, the rate of global repair was higher in the last cell type. Moreover, removal of DNA photoproducts in skin biopsies was found to be slower than in both cultured skin cells. In agreement with previous works, the repair of 6-4PPs was found to be more efficient than that of CPDs in the three types of samples, with no observed difference between the removal of the TT and TC derivatives. In contrast, a significant influence of the nature of the two modified pyrimidines was observed on the repair rate of CPDs. The decreasing order of removal efficiency was the following: C<>T>C<>C>T<>C>T<>T. These data, together with the known intrinsic mutational properties of the lesions, would support the reported UV mutation spectra. A noticeable exception concerns CC dinucleotides that are mutational hotspots with an UV-specific CC to TT tandem mutation, although related bipyrimidine photoproducts are produced in low yields and efficiently repaired.

Photoprotective effects of glucomannan isolated from Candida utilis

Glucomannans belong to yeast and fungal cell wall polysaccharides with known immunostimulatory and radioprotective effects. However, glucomannan protective effects against pathological consequences of skin exposure to short wavelength solar light, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, are unclear. Herein, a highly branched glucomannan (GM) isolated from the cell wall of Candida utilis, a member of the alpha-(1-->6)-D-mannan group, was tested for its photoprotective effects in an in vitro model of UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes and an in vivo model of UV-induced erythema formation in human volunteers. GM suppressed the UVB-induced decrease of keratinocyte viability, which was connected with the suppression of UVB-induced keratinocyte apoptosis. GM reduced UVB-mediated caspase activation together with suppression of DNA fragment release into the cytoplasm. Furthermore, GM suppressed UVB-induced gene expression of pro-inflammatory markers including nuclear factor kappa B, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukins 8 and 1, together with suppression of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin 1alpha protein release. In vivo, GM decreased UV-induced skin erythema formation, which was correlated with a decrease of phosholipase A(2) activity within the stratum corneum. It could be concluded that GM isolated from C. utilis possesses significant photoprotective effects on human keratinocytes in vitro as well as in vivo.

Effects of intranasal phototherapy on nasal mucosa in patients with allergic rhinitis

RATIONALE

Rhinophototherapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Considering that phototherapy with ultraviolet light (UV) induces DNA damage, it is of outstanding importance to evaluate the damage and repair process in human nasal mucosa.

METHODS

We have investigated eight patients undergoing intranasal phototherapy using a modified Comet assay technique and by staining nasal cytology samples for cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), which are UV specific photoproducts.

RESULTS

Immediately after last treatment Comet assay of nasal cytology samples showed a significant increase in DNA damage compared to baseline. Ten days after the last irradiation a significant decrease in DNA damage was observed compared to data obtained immediately after finishing the treatment protocol. Difference between baseline and 10 days after last treatment was not statistically significant. Two months after ending therapy, DNA damage detected by Comet assay in patients treated with intranasal phototherapy was similar with that of healthy individuals. None of the samples collected before starting intranasal phototherapy stained positive for CPDs. In all samples collected immediately after last treatment strong positive staining for CPDs was detected. The number of positive cells significantly decreased 10 days after last treatment, but residual positive staining was present in all the examined samples. This finding is consistent with data reported in skin samples after UV irradiation. Cytology samples examined two months after ending therapy contained no CPD positive cells.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that UV damage induced by intranasal phototherapy is efficiently repaired in nasal mucosa.

Cell surface expression of melanocortin-1 receptor on HaCaT keratinocytes and alpha-melanocortin stimulation do not affect the formation and repair of UVB-induced DNA photoproducts

Ultraviolet (UV) exposure induces an up-regulation of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) expression in human skin and the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) may reduce UVB-induced DNA damage in normal human melanocytes. Using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, we investigated the formation and repair of DNA lesions in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells stably transfected with the wild type MC1R gene (HaCaT-MC1R). Similar levels of 8 bipyrimidine photoproducts including cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) (T<>T, T<>C, C<>T), (6-4) photoproducts ((6-4)PPs) (TT-(6-4)PPs, TC-(6-4)PPs) and their Dewar valence isomers together with 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) were found to be generated in both non-transfected and HaCaT-MC1R cells after UVB exposure. Time-course studies of DNA photoproduct yields indicated that the DNA repair ability depended upon radiation doses. It was shown that (6-4)PPs were removed from the DNA of UVB-irradiated cells much more efficiently than CPDs. The repair efficiency of 8-oxodGuo, CPDs and (6-4)PPs was relatively similar in both cell lines and was not modified by stimulation with alpha-MSH before UVB-exposure. In conclusion, cell surface-enforced expression of MC1Rs on HaCaT keratinocytes and alpha-MSH stimulation do not affect the formation of UVB-induced DNA photoproducts and their subsequent repair.

Protective effect of the isoflavone equol against DNA damage induced by ultraviolet radiation to hairless mouse skin

Equol, an isoflavonoid metabolite produced from the dietary isoflavone daidzein by the gut microflora in mammals, has been found to protect not only against ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced cutaneous inflammation and photoimmune suppression, but also have anti-photocarcinogenic properties in mice. Because the state of DNA damage has been correlated with suppression of the immune system and photocarcinogenesis, we have therefore examined the potential of equol to offer protection from solar-simulated UV (SSUV) radiation-induced DNA damage in hairless mice by the immunohistochemical approach using monoclonal antibody specific for cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs; H3 antibody). Topical application of 20 µM equol lotion, which was applied both before and after SSUV significantly reduced the number of CPDs. This reduction was evident immediately after SSUV exposure, at 1 h after exposure, and at 24 h after exposure, revealing 54%, 50%, and 26% reduction in CPDs, respectively. When the same concentration was applied for 5 consecutive days after SSUV exposure, there was no significant difference in the reduction of CPDs immediately after SSUV irradiation or at 1 hour afterwards, but there were significant reductions of 23% and 42% at 24 and 48 h after SSUV exposure, respectively. Despite apparently reducing the number of CPDs post-SSUV, topically applied equol did not appear to increase the rate of dimer removal. To conclude, equol applied topically prior to SSUV irradiation offers protection against CPD formation in hairless mice, possibly by acting as a suncreen and thus inhibiting DNA photodamage.

Repair of the three main types of bipyrimidine DNA photoproducts in human keratinocytes exposed to UVB and UVA radiations

Induction of DNA damage by solar UV radiation is a key event in the development of skin cancers. Bipyrimidine photoproducts, including cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), (6-4) photoproducts (64 PPs) and their Dewar valence isomers, have been identified as major UV-induced DNA lesions. In order to identify the predominant and most persistent lesions, we studied the repair of the three types of photolesions in primary cultures of human keratinocytes. Specific and quantitative data were obtained using HPLC associated with tandem mass spectrometry. As shown in other cell types, 64 PPs are removed from UVB-irradiated keratinocytes much more efficiently than CPDs. In contrast, CPDs are still present in high amounts when cells recover their proliferation capacities after cell cycle arrest and elimination of a part of the population by apoptosis. The predominance of CPDs is still maintained when keratinocytes are exposed to a combination of UVB and UVA. Under these conditions, 64 PPs are converted into their Dewar valence isomers that are as efficiently repaired as their (6-4) precursors. Exposure of cells to pure UVA radiation generates thymine cyclobutane dimers that are slightly less efficiently repaired than CPDs produced upon UVB irradiation. Altogether, our results show that CPDs are the most frequent and the less efficiently repaired bipyrimidine photoproducts irrespectively of the applied UV treatment.

Ultraviolet A and B affect human melanocytes and keratinocytes differently. A study of oxidative alterations and apoptosis

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an etiologic agent for malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, but the spectral range responsible for tumor induction is still to be elucidated. In this study, we compared effects of UVA and UVB irradiation on normal human melanocytes (MCs) and keratinocytes (KCs) in vitro. We demonstrate that UVA irradiation induces immediate loss of reduced glutathione (GSH) in both MCs and KCs. Exposure to UVA also causes reduced plasma membrane stability, in both cell types, as estimated by fluorescein diacetate retention and flow cytometry. Furthermore, we noted reduction in proliferation and higher apoptosis frequency 24 h after UVA irradiation. UVB irradiation of KCs caused instant reduction of reduced GSH and impaired plasma membrane stability. We also found decline in proliferation and increased apoptosis after 24 h. In MCs, on the other hand, UVB had no effect on GSH level or plasma membrane stability, although increased apoptotic cell death and reduced proliferation was detected. In summary, MCs and KCs showed similar response towards UVA, while UVB had more pronounced effects on KCs as compared to MCs. These results might have implications for the induction of malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Unrepaired cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers do not prevent proliferation of UV-B-irradiated cultured human fibroblasts

Mutagenic and carcinogenic UV-B radiation is known to damage DNA mostly through the formation of bipyrimidine photoproducts, including cyclobutane dimers (CPD) and (6-4) photoproducts ((6-4) PP). Using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, we investigated the formation and repair of thymine-thymine (TT) and thymine-cytosine (TC) CPD and (6-4) PP in the DNA of cultured human dermal fibroblasts. A major observation was that the rate of repair of the photoproducts did not depend on the identity of the modified pyrimidines. In addition, removal of CPD was found to significantly decrease with increasing applied UV-B dose, whereas (6-4) PP were efficiently repaired within less than 24 h, irrespective of the dose. As a result, a relatively large amount of CPD remained in the genome 48 h after the irradiation. Because the overall applied doses (<500 J m(-2)) were chosen to induce moderate cytotoxicity, fibroblasts could recover their proliferation capacities after transitory cell cycle arrest, as shown by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd) incorporation and flow cytometry analysis. It could thus be concluded that UV-B-irradiated cultured primary human fibroblasts normally proliferate 48 h after irradiation despite the presence of high levels of CPD in their genome. These observations emphasize the role of CPD in the mutagenic effects of UV-B.

Interexperimental and Interindividual Variations of DNA Repair Capacities After UV-B and UV-C Irradiations of Human Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts

DNA repair plays a central role in the cellular response to UV. In this work we have studied the response of skin cells (i.e. fibroblasts and keratinocytes) from the same or from different individuals after both ultraviolet-B (UV-B) and ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiations using the comet assay to characterize the specific cellular response to UV-induced DNA damage. Cells were irradiated with increasing doses of UV-B or UV-C. To study the UV dose dependency of initial steps of DNA repair, namely recognition and incision at DNA damage level, the comet assay was performed, under alkaline conditions, 60 min after UV irradiation to allow detection of DNA strand breaks. Comparative analysis of tail moment values after UV exposure of cells from the same or from different individuals showed interexperimental and interindividual variations, implying that repeated assays are necessary to characterize the individual DNA repair capacity. With increasing doses of UV in keratinocytes, a plateau was rapidly reached after irradiation, whereas in fibroblasts a linear dose-effect relationship was observed. These interindividual variations associated with cellular specificity in DNA response may be of significance in skin cell and individual susceptibility toward UV-induced carcinogenesis.

Genome-wide comparison of human keratinocyte and squamous cell carcinoma responses to UVB irradiation: implications for skin and epithelial cancer

To gain insight into the transformation of epidermal cells into squamous carcinoma cells (SCC), we compared the response to ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) versus their transformed counterpart, SCC, using biological and molecular profiling. DNA microarray analyses (Affymetrix), approximately 12000 genes) indicated that the major group of upregulated genes in keratinocytes fall into three categories: (i). antiapoptotic and cell survival factors, including chemokines of the CXC/CC subfamilies (e.g. IL-8, GRO-1, -2, -3, SCYA20), growth factors (e.g. HB-EGF, CTGF, INSL-4), and proinflammatory mediators (e.g. COX-2, S100A9), (ii). DNA repair-related genes (e.g. GADD45, ERCC, BTG-1, Histones), and (iii). ECM proteases (MMP-1, -10). The major downregulated genes are DeltaNp63 and PUMILIO, two potential markers for the maintenance of keratinocyte stem cells. NHEK were found to be more resistant than SCC to UVB-induced apoptosis and this resistance was mainly because of the protection from cell death by secreted survival factors, since it can be transferred from NHEK to SCC cultures by the conditioned medium. Whereas the response of keratinocytes to UVB involved regulation of key checkpoint genes (p53, MDM2, p21(Cip1), DeltaNp63), as well as antiapoptotic and DNA repair-related genes - no or little regulation of these genes was observed in SCC. The effect of UVB on NHEK and SCC resulted in upregulation of 251 and 127 genes, respectively, and downregulation of 322 genes in NHEK and 117 genes in SCC. To further analyse these changes, we used a novel unsupervised coupled two-way clustering method that allowed the identification of groups of genes that clearly partitioned keratinocytes from SCC, including a group of genes whose constitutive expression levels were similar before UVB. This allowed the identification of discriminating genes not otherwise revealed by simple static comparison in the absence of UVB irradiation. The implication of the changes in gene profile in keratinocytes for epithelial cancer is discussed.

Measurement of UVB-Induced DNA damage and its consequences in models of immunosuppression

Exposure to UVB results in formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6-4 photoproducts in DNA. These can be quantified by a variety of techniques including alkaline gel electrophoresis, ELISAs, Southwestern blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Damage to DNA results in activation of damage response pathways, as indicated by Western blotting using antibodies specific for p53 and breast cancer-associated gene 1 (BRCA1) phosphorylation. The signal from DNA damage to activation of these response pathways appears to be mediated by FKBP12-rapamycin-associated protein (FRAP), since these phosphorylation events are blocked by rapamycin. UVB-induced DNA damage also leads to induction of immunosuppressive cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-10 in skin. Induction of TNF-alpha by UVB is readily detectable in cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) using ELISA, while induction of IL-10 is readily detectable in cultured mouse keratinocytes but not in NHEKs. Induction of DNA damage by liposome-encapsulated HindIII results in induction of immunosuppressive responses similar to UVB. Clinical testing shows that liposome-encapsulated T4 endonuclease V or photolyase stimulates repair of CPDs in the skin of human subjects, and prevents UVB-induced immunosuppression. Stimulation of repair and prevention of immunosuppression have been linked to prevention of skin cancer by liposome-encapsulated T4 endonuclease V in repair-deficient xeroderma pigmentosum patients.