IGF2BP1 over-expression and its role in UV-induced skin photoaging

Summary: Abstract Body: Skin photoaging, driven by chronic UV exposure, involves complex molecular mechanisms including RNA methylation modifications. While various pathways in photoaging have been identified, the role of RNA-binding proteins remains understudied, particularly regarding insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1). We investigated IGF2BP1, a multifunctional RNA-binding protein known to regulate pro-survival and anti-apoptotic pathways, in human skin aging processes.Our study revealed significant upregulation of IGF2BP1 mRNA and protein expression in UVB-induced senescent human dermal fibroblasts, confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated elevated IGF2BP1 protein expression in sun-exposed skin tissues and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) compared to controls. Furthermore, IGF2BP1 was found to regulate key cellular senescence signaling pathways activated during skin aging. These findings reveal IGF2BP1 as a critical regulator in UV-induced skin aging, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for photoaging management. The connection between IGF2BP1 and RNA methylation in photoaged skin offers new perspectives for therapeutic development. Ni Zeng¹, Yueyue Li², Yuan Li³, Dan Luo⁴ 1. Dermatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China. 2. Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. 3. Dermatology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Hainan Province, Haikou, Hainan , China. 4. Dermatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. UV Biology/Injury and Non-melanoma Cancers