UVB-induced collagen changes in the skin of the hairless albino mouse.

Biochemical techniques have been used to measure ultraviolet-B (UVB)-induced changes in dermal collagen composition. Hairless albino mice were irradiated dorsally with a daily dose of 62 mJ/cm2 UVB for 12, 24, 30, and 36 weeks. Nonirradiated controls were housed under identical conditions. Additional groups were irradiated for similar periods and kept for a further 6-24 weeks without irradiation. Skin samples were taken from dorsal and ventral (nonirradiated) surfaces and types I and III collagen were quantified densitometrically after cyanogen bromide digestion and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Type III collagen was expressed as a percentage of the total types I and III collagen and the ratio of dorsal/ventral type III (D/V III) was determined for each mouse. The ratio increased significantly in irradiated animals whereas it decreased in the corresponding period in control animals. In irradiated mice withdrawn from UV exposure the ratio D/V III tended to revert to control levels. These data are in agreement with those of our previous human studies, which showed an increase in type III collagen in sun-exposed skin when compared with covered sites.