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Molecular Aspects of Ultraviolet Radiation-induced Apoptosis in the Skin

  • Published:
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Background

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is an essential physiological process that controls cell numbers during physiological processes, and eliminates abnormal cells that can potentially harm an organism.

Objective

This review summarizes our current state of knowledge of apoptosis induction in skin by UV radiation.

Methods

A review of the literature was undertaken focusing on cell death in the skin secondary to UV radiation.

Results

It is evident that a number of apoptotic pathways, both intrinsic and extrinsic, are induced following exposure to damaging UV radiation.

Conclusion

Although our understanding of the apoptotic processes is gradually increasing, many important aspects remain obscure. These include interconnections between pathways, wavelength-specific differences and cell type differences.

Sommaire

Antécédents

L’apoptose, ou mort cellulaire programmée, est un processus physiologique essentiel au contrôle du nombre de cellules durant les processus physiologiques et à l’élimination des cellules anormales qui représentent un danger potentiel pour l’organisme.

Objectif

Le présent article fait le point sur nos connaissances actuelles quant à l’induction de l’apoptose au niveau de la peau au moyen des rayons UV.

Méthodes

Un examen des publications scientifiques traitant de la mort cellulaire à la suite de l’exposition de la peau aux rayons UV a été fait.

Résultats

Il est évident qu’un nombre de voies apoptotiques, intrinsèques et extrinsèques, sont déclenchées à la suite de l’exposition à des rayons UV néfastes.

Conclusion

Bien que notre compréhension des processus apoptotiques augmente graduellement, nombreux restent les aspects importants qui demeurent obscurs, notamment les interconnexions entre les voies, les différences propres aux ondes et aux types de cellules.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 4B1.19 Walter C Mackenzie Health Science Centre, University of Alberta, 8440-112th Street, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2B7

    Jeffrey Chow & Victor A. Tron

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  1. Jeffrey Chow
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  2. Victor A. Tron
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Correspondence to Victor A. Tron.

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Chow, J., Tron, V.A. Molecular Aspects of Ultraviolet Radiation-induced Apoptosis in the Skin. J Cutan Med Surg 9, 289–295 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-005-0109-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-005-0109-0

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