title: Damage at the root of cell renewal--UV sensitivity of human epidermal stem cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The epidermis harbors adult stem cells that reside in the basal layer and ensure the continuous maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Various studies imply that stem cells generally possess specific defense mechanisms against several forms of exogenous stress factors. As sun exposition is the most prevalent impact on human skin, this feature would be of particular importance in terms of sensitivity to UV-induced DNA damage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether human epidermal stem cells are susceptible to UV-induced DNA damage and subsequent functional impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A method to isolate human epidermal stem cells from suction blister epidermis was established and validated. Volunteers were treated with solar-simulated irradiation on test areas of the forearm and stem cells were isolated from suction blister material of this region. DNA damage was analyzed by staining for cyclobutane thymidine dimers. The functional consequences of UV-induced damages were assessed by colony forming efficiency assays and gene expression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to an unirradiated control, stem cells isolated from areas that were exposed to solar-simulated radiation showed significantly more DNA lesions. Although the number of stem cells was not reduced by this treatment, a functional impairment of stem cells could be shown by reduced colony forming efficiency and altered gene expression of stem cell markers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite their essential role in skin maintenance, epidermal stem cells are sensitive to physiological doses of UV irradiation in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Beiersdorf AG, R&D, Skin Research Center, Unnastr. 48, 20253 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruetze
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dunckelmann
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schade
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reuschlein
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mielke
authors.forename: Julia Maxi
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Weise
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallinat
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wenck
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Knott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D004249:DNA Damage; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011740:Pyrimidine Dimers / Q000737:chemistry; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013472:Sunlight; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D011740:Pyrimidine Dimers; C059224:cyclobutyldithymidine dimers