Increased matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression by coexposure to UVA and cigarette sidestream smoke and contribution of histone acetylation

Skin is exposed to various environmental factors throughout life, and some of these factors are known to contribute to skin aging. Long-term solar UV exposure is a well-known cause of skin aging, as is cigarette smoke, which contains a number of chemicals. In this study, combined effect of UVA and cigarette sidestream smoke (CSS) on matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) induction was investigated. MMP-1 is the main protease that initiates collagen type I fiber fragmentation in human skin and is associated with aging.

These results suggest that UVA and CSS additively induce MMP-1, which may lead to skin aging, and that such combined effect may further promote aging in aged skin. UVA-induced histone acetylation may contribute to MMP-1 induction.

Combined exposure to UVA and CSS enhanced MMP-1 induction, accompanied by collagen type I (COL1A1) gene suppression. The basal expression of MMP-1 was higher in senescent cells than in normal cells, with a pronounced increase after coexposure to UVA and CSS. UVA irradiation resulted in global histone H3 acetylation, and we considered this was responsible for the MMP-1 upregulation. Histone deacetylase inhibitors, sodium acetate, propionate, and butyrate, all enhanced the CSS-induced MMP-1 according to the degree of histone acetylation.