Nuclear factor-kappa B and effector molecules in photoaging

Abstract

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) has important but complex functions in the photoaging of the human skin. This protein complex is activated upon UV irradiation and plays a key role in the signalling pathway of the inflammatory cascade. NF-κB induces the expression of various proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). These proinflammatory cytokines can in turn stimulate the activation of NF-κB, forming a vicious cycle. These processes cause chronic inflammation and contribute to skin ageing. In addition, the activation of NF-κB upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and leads to the degradation of structural proteins in the dermis. NF-κB disrupts the barrier function of the skin under prolonged and repeated UV stimulations in these ways. Such activity causes chronic skin damage, followed by the formation of wrinkles, dryness, roughness, laxity, and other photoaging manifestations. This study on the NF-κB signalling pathway and effector molecules provides a new perspective to understand and prevent photoaging.

Keywords:

• Nuclear factor-kappa B
• skin ageing
• tumour necrosis factor
• interleukin-1
• matrix metalloproteinases

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Nos. 81572976, 81872493, 81803151], the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation [Nos.2016M590505, 2017T100407], the Jiangsu Provincial Medical Talent Foundation, the ‘Six Talent Peaks’ Project of Jiangsu Province [Nos.WSW-074, WSN-254].