Transcriptomic changes in fibroblasts in the course of photoaging

Skin, similar to most other organs, undergoes detremental changes during life time (intrinsic or chronological aging). Unique for skin, however, is its direct environmental exposure, particularly UV irradiation from the sun, that causes a superimposed aging phenotype referred to as photoaging. Importantly, skin aging is more than a physiologic phenomenon but also a health risk, as it comprises deficiencies such as skin fragility, delayed and impaired wound healing, and increasing susceptibility for infections and skin cancer. We here aimed at studying skin aging in the course of photoaging of primary fibroblasts isolated from the dermis. To that end, generated skin equivalents (SEs) were exposed to chronic irradiation, with 1MED (minimal erythemic dose) of solar UV radiation (simultaneous irradiation of UVA + UVB) 3x per week for 2 weeks.