Abstract:

Objective To observe the changes of autophagy in human skin fibroblast （HSF） model for photoaging. Methods HSF model for photoaging was established through repeated exposure to ultraviolet B （UVB）. Those HSFs receiving no irradiation served as the control. The degree of aging was evaluated by β-galactosidase assay, and autophagy level was detected. Results After repeated exposure to UVB, most photoaged HSFs were deformed and distorted, and some of them even died. The percentage of β-galactosidase-positive cells was 50.60% ± 5.04% and 14.58% ± 2.69%, respectively in photoaged and control HSFs （P ＜ 0.01）. Significant difference was also observed in the proportion of cytophagosome-positive cells between photoaged and control HSFs （14.91% ± 4.59% vs 68.45% ± 8.25%, P ＜ 0.01）. Conclusion The HSF model for photoaging shows obviously abnormal appearance and stagnant growth with increased degree of senescence and decreased autophagy compared with normal control HSFs.

Key words: autophagy, photoaging, fibroblast