Abstract
Purpose
Excessive exposure of skin to solar radiation is associated with greatly increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS, RNS) resulting in oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, immunosuppression, the production of matrix metalloproteinase, DNA damage and mutations. These events lead to increased incidence of various skin disorders including photoaing and both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers. The ultraviolet (UV) part of sunlight, in particular, is responsible for structural and cellular changes across the different layers of the skin. Among other effects, UV photons stimulate oxidative damage to biomolecules via the generation of unstable and highly reactive compounds. In response to oxidative damage, cytoprotective pathways are triggered. One of these is the pathway driven by the nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). This transcription factor translocates to the nucleus and drives the expression of numerous genes, among them various detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes. Several studies concerning the effects of UV radiation on Nrf2 activation have been published, but different UV wavelengths, skin cells or tissues and incubation periods were used in the experiments that complicate the evaluation of UV radiation effects.
Conclusions
This review summarizes the effects of UVB (280–315 nm) and UVA (315–400 nm) radiation on the Nrf2 signaling pathway in dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes and melanocytes. The effects of natural compounds (pure compounds or mixtures) on Nrf2 activation and level as well as on Nrf2-driven genes in UV irradiated human skin fibroblasts, keratinocytes and melanocytes are briefly mentioned as well.
UVB radiation is a rather poor activator of the Nrf2-driven pathway in fibroblasts
UVA radiation stimulates Nrf2 activation in dermal fibroblasts
Effects of UVA on the Nrf2 pathway in keratinocytes and melanocytes remain unclear
Long-term Nrf2 activation in keratinocytes disturbs their normal differentiation
Pharmacological activation of Nrf2 in the skin needs to be performed carefully
Highlights
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Alena Ryšavá
Alena Ryšavá is a Ph.D. student at the Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Jitka Vostálová
Jitka Vostálová, Ph.D., is a Researcher and Associate Professor at the Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Alena Rajnochová Svobodová
Alena Rajnochová Svobodová, Ph.D., is a Researcher and Associate Professor at the Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.