Animal Models of Acute Photodamage: Comparisons of Anatomic, Cellular and Molecular Responses in C57BL/6J, SKH1 and Balb/c Mice

Abstract

Human cutaneous photodamage is a major medical problem that includes premature aging and fragility of the skin. Non-xenografted animal models have not been comparatively evaluated for how well they resemble the changes seen in human skin. Here, we sought to identify a suitable mouse model that recapitulates key anatomic, cellular, and molecular responses observed in human skin during acute UV exposure. Adult females from three strains of mice, C57BL/6J, SKH-1, and Balb/c, were exposed to ultraviolet-B, and then evaluated 3h or 20h after the last irradiation. Skin from UVB-exposed C57BL/6J mice showed features resembling human photodamage, including epidermal thickening, infiltration of the dermis with inflammatory cells, induction of TNFα mRNA, accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), particularly hyaluronan (HA) in the epidermis, and loss of collagen. Hairless SKH1 mouse skin responded similarly, but without any induction of TNFα mRNA or chondroitin sulfate (CS). Irradiated Balb/c mice were the least similar to humans. Our results in C57BL/6J mice, and to a lesser extent in SKH-1 mice, show cutaneous responses to a course of UVB-irradiation that mirror those seen in human skin. Proper choice of model is critical for investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms of photodamage and photoaging.

Protective Mechanism of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Remodelling of the Skin Stem Cell Niche During Photoaging

“…Keyes's study indicates that Bmp2 levels increase in ageing mice and affect HFSC activation [22]. The upregulation of BMP in the natural ageing process slows hair follicle cycles and results in less hair [18]. In ageing mice, the regeneration cycle can be delayed by overexpression of intradermal inhibitors, such as BMP-2, DKK-1 and SFRP-4 [3].…”

“…In contrast with those of the SKH1 and BALB/c mice, the UVB-exposed female C57BL ⁄6J mouse skin samples showed characteristics similar to those of photodamaged human skin [18]. Therefore, the experiments in this study were performed with female C57BL⁄6J mice.…”

“…In addition, MMPs are involved in angiogenesis-mediated promotion of cancer cell migration and growth [28]. UVB photons are approximately 1000 times more energetic than UVA photons and are responsible for sunburn, pigmentation and photocarcinogenesis after sun exposure [18]. ADSCs downregulate the overexpression of ICAM-1 caused by UVB exposure and inhibit skin inflammation induced by UVB [9].…”

Comparative analysis of cutaneous drug reactions among different fluoroquinolones: an experimental study

“…The photosensitive and phototoxic reactions to Fluoroquinolones are already highlighted. 8 So we have conducted our study in mice model without exposing them to direct Ultra-Violet irradiation or direct Sun ray exposure, to study the direct effect of Fluoroquinolones on the skin by minimizing risk of photosensitive and phototoxic reactions. 10 Again many studies on mice is done on hairless skin to see the effect on epidermis and dermis.…”

“…Mice is used as animal models for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, skin from UVB-exposed C57BL/6J mice showed features resembling human photo damage. 7,8 Mouse is also used as models for alopecia areata for review of preclinical drug screening. 9 Taking all these into account we used Mice as the animal model for study of relative incidence of cutaneous drug reactions among different commonly used Fluoroquinolones.…”