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Published on: June 7, 2018
Thioredoxin reductase - its role in epidermal redox status
1Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. k.schallreuter@bradford.ac.uk
The thioredoxin reductase (TR)/thioredoxin (T) system protects skin from oxidative stress. UVB-induced hydrogen peroxide fine-tunes TR activity and impacts melanocyte health, revealing a new role in maintaining skin homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The epidermis defends against reactive oxygen species (ROS) from UV and other sources.
- The thioredoxin reductase (TR)/thioredoxin (T) system is crucial for antioxidant defense in the skin.
- Skin pigmentation correlates with TR activity, highlighting its role in ROS defense across different Fitzpatrick skin types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulation of the TR/T/TPx system by UVB-induced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the epidermis.
- To explore the role of the TR/T/TPx system in maintaining the homeostasis of the cofactor (6R)-L-erythro 5,6,7,8 tetrahydrobiopterin (6BH4).
- To understand the implications of H2O2 accumulation and TR regulation in skin conditions like vitiligo.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in vivo non-invasive Fourier-Transform Raman spectroscopy to detect UVB-induced H2O2.
- Investigated the kinetic parameters (Km) of H2O2-induced oxidation of TR.
- Examined the effects of H2O2 on TR mRNA expression, p53 levels, and thioredoxin translocation.
Main Results:
- UVB exposure generates H2O2 in the epidermis in a dose-dependent manner.
- H2O2 directly oxidizes TR, leading to its upregulation, but high H2O2 levels induce p53, which downregulates cytosolic TR, indicating fine control.
- The TR/T/TPx system is involved in regulating 6BH4 homeostasis, and its dysregulation by H2O2 contributes to cytotoxic environments in epidermal melanocytes, as seen in vitiligo.
Conclusions:
- UVB-induced H2O2 plays a dual role in regulating TR activity, balancing antioxidant defense and cellular stress responses.
- The TR/T/TPx system is essential for maintaining epidermal homeostasis and protecting melanocytes from H2O2-induced damage.
- Dysregulation of this system and subsequent H2O2 accumulation are implicated in depigmentation disorders like vitiligo.
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