Ultraviolet B irradiation increases keratin 1 and keratin 10 expressions in HaCaT keratinocytes via TRPV1 activation and ERK phosphorylation.

In this study, we characterized the effect of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation with or without epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the regulation of keratinocyte differentiation under physiological concentration of Ca2+ (1.8 mM). In addition, growth factor deprivation used to measure signal transduction and kinase phosphorylation in many studies is physiologically unreal. Therefore, 1% of serum was also included in all experiment. We found that UVB irradiation Ca2+ dependently induced morphological differentiation and increased keratin 1 and 10 (K1/K10) expressions. Both were inhibited by treatment of cells with EGF. In quiescent cells, phosphorylation of ERK was stimulated by acute EGF treatment, while it rapidly desensitized in chronic EGF treatment or 1% serum exposure. UVB irradiation-induced keratinocyte differentiation required Ca2+ influx through TRPV1. Ca2+ -dependent phosphorylation of ERK was responsible for the expression of K1/10. Cotreatment of cells with EGF during UVB irradiation inhibits the UVB irradiation-induced differentiation by desensitizing ERK phosphorylation.