Network analysis to understand side effects of UVB on skin through transcriptomic approach

Abstract

Background Ultraviolet B (UVB) light can exert toxic effects on the skin by penetrating the epidermal layer and exposing the skin cells, potentially leading to skin disease. Although epidemiological studies have reported associations between UVB and the pathogenesis of skin diseases, few studies have focused on elucidating the underlying mechanisms of skin damage induced by UVB through biological network analysis. Objective The present study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of the toxic effects of UVB on skin and suggested biomarkers by analyzing a signaling network by UVB radiation through a transcriptomic approach. Results Through a literature-based network analysis, the oxidative stress and inflammatory response were predicted as major UVB-induced signaling alterations in keratinocytes. UVB light might cause skin cancer, including melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, through the accumulation of DNA damage and oxidative stress induced by expression changes incorporating CDKN1A, FAS, FOS, MDM2, PLAUR, and TNF. Conclusion The analytical approach used in this study suggests that the regulation of gene expression by UVB light leads to skin diseases by changing the cellular processes of keratinocytes. This strategy can be applied to research to suggest mechanisms and biomarkers from a toxicological perspective. Although further functional studies on the modes of action for each factor are required, this study might help develop strategies for exploring UVB light-induced signaling networks through analyzing transcriptomic data.