The Effect of Melatonin on the Gene Expression Profiles of UVB-irradiated Human Skin Fibroblasts related genes.

Song, Hyun Jeong; Lee, Kyu Suk

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation is an important inducer of several biological changes in skin, including sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer, and these changes are mediated mainly by direct DNA damage or production of reactive oxygen species. Chemoprevention with an antioxidant, such as melatonin, may be a useful method to reduce skin damage induced by UVB. These processes are closely related with changes in expressions of many genes in cells. However, the expression profiles of genes in UVB-irradiated fibroblasts, with or without melatonin treatment, is largely unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression profiles of genes in UVB-irradiated fibroblasts, with or without melatonin treatment, thereby evaluating the possibility of melatonin for the use as a promising antioxidant.
METHODS
We cultured human skin fibroblasts in the presence and abscence of melatonin. Cells were irradiated with UVB (100 mJ/cm2), and the expression profiles of genes in the cells were then evaluated using a cDNA microarray, representing 25,000 genes, and by the RT-PCR method.
RESULTS
The expressions of 652 genes with melatonin and 597 genes without melatonin were changed by UVB, and the major genes modified by UVB could be grouped into 4 categories: (1) cell cycle-related genes, (2) genes for structural, extracellular matrix proteins, and cell adhesion-related genes, (3) inflammation-related genes, and (4) oxidation-related genes.
CONCLUSION
These results provide the basis for understanding the effect of UVB on human skin fibroblasts and give a new insight into melatonin as an antioxidant.