Regulation and inhibition of collagenase expression by long-wavelength ultraviolet radiation in cultured human skin fibroblasts.

The cellular mechanisms responsible for the connective tissue changes produced by chronic exposure to UV light are poorly understood. Collagenase, a metalloproteinase, initiates degradation of types I and III collagen and thus plays a key role in the remodeling of dermal collagen. Collagenase synthesis by fibroblasts and keratinocytes involves the protein kinase C (PKC) second messenger system, and corticosteroids have been shown to suppress its synthesis at the level of gene transcription. Long-wavelength UV light (UVA, 320-400 nm) stimulates the synthesis of interstitial collagenase, as well as increasing PKC activity, in human skin fibroblasts in vitro. This study explores the regulation of collagenase expression by UVA in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Specifically, the time course, the effect of actinomycin D, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis, as well as the effect of PKC inhibitors and dexamethasone on expression of collagenase following UVA irradiation were examined. After UVA irradiation, collagenase mRNA rose rapidly between 4 and 12 h postirradiation, peaking 18 h post-UVA. Actinomycin D completely suppressed the UVA-induced increase in collagenase mRNA. Thus, new RNA synthesis is required for the UVA-induced increase in collagenase mRNA. The PKC inhibitor, H-7, blocked the increase in collagenase mRNA in response to UVA in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, dexamethasone also inhibited collagenase gene expression induced by UVA in a dose-dependent fashion; the majority of the inhibitory effect was seen within the first 4 h after irradiation. These studies demonstrate that the effect of UVA on collagenase gene expression is regulated at the pretranscriptional level and may involve the PKC pathway.