UVR-induced epigenetic regulation and photocarcinogenesis

Abstract

The human skin remains under constant exposure of solar radiation and is vulnerable to epigenetic modifications that later may develop skin cancer. The effects of chronic UVR exposure to skin can alter epigenetic information in epidermal cells, leading to epigenetic mosaicism. These epigenetic changes include DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, and posttranscriptional modifications of noncoding RNAs. UVR-induced epigenetic changes are not irreversible. Certain phytochemicals can potentially inhibit cancer signaling pathways which are usually deregulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Indeed, recent therapeutic strategies are directing toward phytochemical-based reversal of epigenetic modifications to combat UVR-induced skin cancers. This chapter provides detailed insights of different epigenetic alterations, their role in photocarcinogenesis, and phytochemical-based reversal of epigenetic changes occurring in UVR-irradiated skin.