Reactive oxygen species activate the human elastin promoter in a transgenic model of cutaneous photoaging

BACKGROUND. Generation of free radicals has been shown to play a role in cutaneous alterations resulting from ultraviolet radiation. OBJECTIVE. Cells from a previously described in vitro transgenic model of cutaneous photoaging were exposed to reactive oxygen species to determine if this results in elastin promoter activation. METHODS. Reactive oxygen species were generated using a hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase system, and elastin promoter activation was measured using cells derived from transgenic mice containing the human elastin promoter. RESULTS. Free radical generation resulted in a greater than sixfold increase in elastin promoter activity, and this increase was blocked with the addition of catalase. CONCLUSION. Elastin promoter activation may play a role in the generation of solar elastosis in photoaged skin. Utilizing hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase with the in vitro transgenic photoaging model results in a sensitive system for evaluating agents that may prevent oxidative damage.