Elevated Matrix Metalloproteinases and Collagen Fragmentation in Photodamaged Human Skin: Impact of Altered Extracellular Matrix Microenvironment on Dermal Fibroblast Function  Taihao Quan, Emily Little, Hehui Quan, Zhaoping Qin, John J. Voorhees, Gary J. Fisher  Journal of Investigative Dermatology  Volume 133, Issue 5, Pages 1362-1366 (May 2013) DOI: 10.1038/jid.2012.509 Copyright © 2013 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Elevated expression of multiple matrix metalloproteinase family (MMPs) and reduced production of type-I procollagen in photodamaged forearm human dermis. (a) Basal gene expression of MMP family members in human underarm skin. N=19. (b) Multiple MMPs elevated in photodamaged forearm skin relative to sun-protected underarm skin. N=19, *P<0.05. (c) Elevated MMPs in the dermis of photodamaged forearm skin. N=6, *P<0.05. (d) Similar tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) gene expression in sun-protected and photodamaged skin, N=10. (e) Elevated collagenase activity in the dermis of photodamaged forearm skin determined by in situ zymography. Loss of green fluorescence in photodamaged dermis indicates degradation of fluorescein-collagen substrate. White lines indicate the boundary between the epidermis (top) and dermis (bottom). N=6. (f) Reduced type-I procollagen gene expression in photodamaged forearm dermis. N=19, *P<0.05. (g) Reduced type-I procollagen protein levels in photodamaged forearm dermis. N=19, *P<0.05. (c, f, g) Dermis was isolated by laser capture microdissection. All results are means±SEM. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2013 133, 1362-1366DOI: (10.1038/jid.2012.509) Copyright © 2013 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 Collagen fibril fragmentation alters dermal fibroblast collagen homeostasis. (a) Nanoscale collagen fibrils were imaged by atomic force microscopy. The white and red arrows indicate intact and fragmented/disorganized collagen fibrils, respectively. Images are representative of six independent experiments. (b) Matrix metalloproteinases family (MMPs) that are elevated in photodamaged dermis are induced in fibroblasts cultured in MMP-1-fragmented collagen lattices. N=3, *P<0.05. (c) Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) gene expression is not elevated in fibroblasts cultured in MMP-1-fragmented collagen lattices. N=4. (d) Type-I procollagen mRNA levels are reduced in the fibroblasts cultured in MMP-1-fragmented collagen lattices. N=9, *P<0.05. (e) Type-I procollagen protein levels are reduced in the fibroblasts cultured in MMP-1-fragmented collagen lattices. N=5, *P<0.05. All results are means±SEM. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2013 133, 1362-1366DOI: (10.1038/jid.2012.509) Copyright © 2013 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions