Effect of topical retinoic acids on the levels of collagen mRNA during the repair of UVB-induced dermal damage in the hairless mouse and the possible role of TGF-beta as a mediator.

Topically applied retinoic acids have been found to enhance the gene expression for collagen types I and III in the skin of UVB-irradiated hairless mice. Prior damage is required because the effect is not observed in the skin of age-matched, non-irradiated control animals. Immunochemical methods have shown an increase in TGF-beta 1 and, to a lesser extent, of TGF-beta 2 in the epidermis following retinoic acid treatment. There were no changes in mRNA levels for any of the isotypes of TGF-beta induced by retinoic acid treatment. This study suggests that TGF-beta may mediate the effect of retinoic acids on dermal repair through the stimulation of collagen gene expression.