DNA repair capacities of cutaneous fibroblasts: effect of sun exposure, age and smoking on response to an acute oxidative stress

Abstract

Taken together our data suggest that stresses like ageing, sun exposure and smoking might have an additive effect contributing to the overall heterogeneity and decrease of DNA repair capacities in human cells and so increase the danger of sun exposure for health. They also emphasize the importance of the quality of the biological samples when repair studies on skin cells are to be conducted.

Cytogenetic status of healthy children assessed with the alkaline comet assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay

“…After examining human lymphocytes, Jones et al [41] found that the mutation frequency increases with age, whereas Diem et al [42], using the comet assay, found that age has a significant effect on DNA-damage levels. Hazane et al [43] and Sauvaigo et al [44], using also the comet assay, found that aging was associated with decreased DNA-repair capacity. Piperakis et al [45] demonstrated that older persons have increased levels of DNA damage and a less efficient DNA-repair system in comparison with young persons.…”

The use of comet assay in measuring DNA damage and repair efficiency in child, adult, and old age populations

“…In particular, after examining human lymphocytes, Jones et al (1995) found that mutation frequency increases with age, whereas Diem et al (2002), using the comet assay, found that age has a significant effect on basal DNA levels. Hazane et al (2006) and Sauvaigo et al (2007), using also the comet assay in human fibroblasts, found that aging was associated with decreased DNA repair capacity.…”

Regulation of DNA Repair Process by the Pro-Inflammatory NF-κB Pathway

“…We have recently shown that there is a general decrease in DNA repair capacity in aging dermal fibroblasts. Indeed, using two different types of DNA repair measurement that directly measure the activity on human dermal fibroblasts nuclear extracts on plasmid [58] and oligonucleotides [59,60] bearing specific damages, we showed that the level of NER and BER are dramatically reduced in dermal fibroblasts from a group of female volunteers with age comprised between 40 and 50 years old compared to a results obtained in a younger group 20-30 years old for both chronically UV-exposed skin or non-exposed skin site [61,62]. Sauvaigo et al also demonstrat-ed that SSB repair decreased with aging in dermal fibroblasts [60].…”