Increase in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts in photoaged skin.

Background: Interleukins and NFκ-B are involved in the development of inflammatory reactions. It has been suggested that these proteins are important contributing factors in the process of photoaging of skin. Moreover, interleukins and NFκ-B are known to be capable of inducing expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Expression of COX-2 in various populations of skin cells has not been examined in the specific processes of aging.

Objectives: The study aimed at evaluating COX-2 expression in skin samples originating from patients with chronologically aged and photoaged skin at various stages of skin aging.

Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of COX-2 reactivity was conducted on samples originating from 52 women undergoing surgery for reasons other than skin pathology.

Results: Our study demonstrated that COX-2 expression in keratinocytes and fibroblasts was significantly higher in skin samples affected by photoaging than in samples affected by endogenous aging or obtained from younger individuals.

Conclusions: The results indicate that COX-2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of the photoaging process. Inhibition of expression or activity of the enzyme may find application in photoaging treatment and/or prophylaxis.