DECREASED P53 EXPRESSION IN CHRONICALLY SUN-EXPOSED HUMAN SKIN AFTER TOPICAL PHOTOPROTECTION

W-induced DNA damage appears to play an essential role in skin carcino genesis. Following acute UV irradiation, there is an overexpression of normal p53 protein in epidermal keratinocytes, representing a physiol ogical response to DNA damage. Sun protection through topical sunscree ns or clothing is believed to reduce the hazardous effects of UV irrad iation and subsequently the risk of skin cancer. We have examined the effect of an SPF 15 topical sunscreen and blue denim fabric (SPF 1700) in chronically sun-exposed human skin after sun exposure during a nor mal summer. Skin biopsies from sun-protected and sun-exposed skin were compared with respect to immunohistochemically detectable p53. This m ethod provides a model for assessing the significance of different deg rees of UV protection under physiological conditions. Our results show a significant reduction of p53-positive cells in sun-protected skin a s compared with sun-exposed skin. The reduction of p53-positive kerati nocytes differed between topical sunscreen (33% reduction) and blue de nim fabric (66% reduction). Interindividual variations were large, pos sibly because of variations in sun exposure. These variations also sug gest that mechanisms determining UV damage at the cellular level are c omplex. The role of residual p53-positive keratinocytes after 2 months of total sun-protection (i.e., SPF 1700) is discussed.