The roles of cytokines in photoaging

Photoaging comprises characteristic changes in appearance and function of the skin as a result of repeated sun exposure rather than to passage of time alone. Clinically, wrinkles, laxity, coarseness, mottled pigmentation, lentigenes, teleangiectasia and purpura characterize photoaging. Photoaging is also characterized by atrophy, fibrotic depigmented areas termed pseudoscars, and ultimately premalignant and malignant neoplasms on sun exposed areas. These features are the result of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in the sunlight. UVR stimulates and activates various cells and tissues to produce and release cytokines that may play a significant role in the process of photoaging. However, cytokines are the major orchestrators of the host defense processes and are involved in response to exogenous and endogenous insults, and repair and restore homeostasis. Therefore, cytokines may be beneficial in the course of photoaging. Considering the complex cytokine network in the skin, focus will be taken on several subjects that have seen major changes during the last few years. I will first outline our knowledge of cytokines in the skin together with their functions, then review our knowledge of the involvement of cytokines in photoaging, and finally summarize the defense system related to cytokines.