REVIEW article
Front. Pharmacol.
Sec. Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1562845
Dysregulation of autophagy during photoaging reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory damage caused by UV
Provisionally accepted
- 1School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
- 2School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
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Photoaging, the premature aging of skin due to chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure, is a growing concern in dermatology and cosmetic science. While UV radiation is known to induce DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation in skin cells, recent research unveils a promising countermeasure: autophagy. This review explores the intricate relationship between autophagy and photoaging, highlighting how this cellular recycling process can mitigate UV-induced damage. We begin by examining the differential impacts of UVA and UVB radiation on skin cells and the role of oxidative stress in accelerating photoaging. Next, we delve into the molecular mechanisms of autophagy, including its various forms and regulatory pathways. Central to this review is the discussion of autophagy’s protective functions, such as the clearance of damaged organelles and proteins, and its role in maintaining genomic integrity. Furthermore, we address the current challenges in harnessing autophagy for therapeutic purposes, including the need for selective autophagy inducers and a deeper understanding of its context-dependent effects. By synthesizing recent advancements and proposing future research directions, this review underscores the potential of autophagy modulation as a novel strategy to prevent and treat photoaging. This comprehensive analysis aims to inspire further investigation into autophagy-based interventions, offering new hope for preserving skin health in the face of environmental stressors.
Keywords: Photoaging, Autophagy, UV, ROS, Skin Aging
Received: 18 Jan 2025; Accepted: 21 Apr 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Zhang, Tan and Chen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Long Chen, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
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