Transglutaminase 2 mediates UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression by inhibiting nuclear p65 degradation in dermal fibroblasts

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a key role in tissue remodelling by cleaving extracellular matrix (ECM) components. In the skin, UV irradiation increases expression of MMPs that causes dysregulation of ECM homeostasis in dermis, leading to acceleration of skin aging. However, the mediator(s) that links UV irradiation to the upregulation of MMPs have not been fully defined. Previously, we showed that UVB irradiation activated transglutaminase 2 (TG2) in keratinocytes, eliciting an inflammatory response by activating NF-κB signalling. In this study, we reported the role of TG2 in mediating the UVB-induced expression of MMP-1. In human dermal fibroblasts, UVB irradiation enhanced the expression and activity of TG2, which in turn promotes the expression of MMP-1. Analyses of MMP-1 promoter showed that activation of the NF-κB signalling pathway, rather than AP-1, was responsible for the TG2-mediated upregulation of MMP-1. Moreover, Western blot analysis revealed that TG2 increased the activity of NF-κB by inhibiting degradation of p65 in the nucleus. Furthermore, ex vivo skin from TG2-knockout mice exhibited significantly reduced levels of MMP-1 compared to that from wild-type mice. These results indicate that TG2 functions as a mediator for the UVB-induced expression of MMP-1 in dermal fibroblasts, providing a new target for preventing skin photodamage.