Skin-Derived Precursors against UVB-Induced Apoptosis via Bcl-2 and Nrf2 Upregulation

Bcl-2 and Nrf2 are critical factors in protecting cells against UVB-induced apoptosis. Hair-follicle-bulge stem cells could resist ionization through Bcl-2 upregulation. Skin-derived precursors (SKPs) dwelling on the bulge may be against UVB irradiation. Initially, SKPs were isolated and identified. Then, SKPs were exposed to UVB and grew in medium for 24 hours. CCK-8 assay, TUNEL, and Ki67 staining evaluated cells apoptosis/proliferation, while SA-βgal staining evaluated cells senescence and pH2AX immunostaining evaluated DNA damage. Meanwhile, Bcl-2, Nrf2, HO-1, Bax, and Bak expressions were assessed by qRT-PCR and western blot. Two weeks later, floating spheres appeared and were identified as SKPs. After UVB radiation, SKPs maintained spherical colonies and outnumbered unirradiated ones, showing high Ki67 expression and low TUNEL, SA-βgal, and pH2AX expression. Fibroblasts (FBs), however, displayed deformation, senescence, and reduction, with increased TUNEL, SA-βgal, and pH2AX expression. Moreover, Bcl-2 and Nrf2 mRNA expression were significantly higher than Bak and Bax in irradiated SKPs. Conversely, Bcl-2 and Nrf2 mRNA levels greatly decreased compared with Bax and Bak in irradiated FBs. Interestingly, SKPs showed higher protein levels of Bcl-2, Nrf2, and HO-1 than FBs. SKPs exert a beneficial effect on resisting UVB-induced apoptosis, which may be associated with Bcl-2 and Nrf2 upregulation.