UVA‐INDUCED AUTOCRINE STIMULATION OF FIBROBLAST‐DERIVED COLLAGENASE/MMP‐1 BY INTERRELATED LOOPS OFINTERLEUKIN–1 andINTERLEUKIN–6

Abstract
Abstract— Previous work has shown that fibroblast‐derived collagenase/matrix‐metalloproteinase‐1(MMP–1), responsible for the breakdown of dermal interstitial collagen, was dose‐dependently induced in vitro and in vivo by UVA irradiation and this induction was at least partly mediated byinterleukin–6(IL–6). We here provide evidence that UVA‐inducedIL–1α andIL–1β play a central role in the induction of the synthesis both ofIL–6 and collagenase/MMP–1. In contrast to the late increase ofIL–1α andIL–1β mRNA levels at 6 h postirradiation, bioactivity ofIL–1 is already detectable at 1 h postirradiation. This early peak ofIL–1 bioactivity appears to be responsible for the induction ofIL–6 synthesis and together withIL–6 lead to an increase of the steady‐state mRNA level of collagenase/MMP–1 as deduced from studies usingIL–1α andIL–1β antisense oligonucleotides or neutralizing antibodies againstIL–1α andIL–1β Besides the early posttranslationally controlled release of intracellularIL–1, a latter pretranslationally controlled synthesis and release ofIL–1 perpetuates the UV response. From these data we suggest a UV‐induced cytokine network consisting ofIL–1α,IL–1β andIL–6, which via interrelated autocrine loops induce collagenase/MMP–1 and thus may contribute to the loss of interstitial collagen in cutaneous photoaging.