Photoprotection from UV light-induced telomere shortening by a broad-spectrum sunscreen product

Ana Guío-Carrión, Almudena Martín, José Aguilera, María Matabuena, Diego Megias, Anne Laure Demessant-Flavigny, Isabel Castillejo, Françoise Bernerd, Leonor Prieto, Maria A. Blasco

INTRODUCTION

Chronic UV exposure triggers DNA damage, photoaging, and even carcinogenesis, through the formation of photoproducts and reactive oxygen species, activating DNA damage response (DDR) pathways and ultimately apoptosis or senescence. Telomeres are regions especially sensitive to UV light; their length shortens upon UV irradiation in-vitro and in-vivo, compromising the regenerative capacity and function of tissues. We aimed to study whether a broad-spectrum sunscreen is able to prevent UV-induced DNA damage and telomeric shortening.