Biological clock controls activation of skin stem cells

Researchers from the Epithelial Homeostasis and Cancer group at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) have carried out a study which is to be published in the journal Nature, describing how circadian rhythms, that is the internal biological clock which controls our behaviour during the day and night, regulate the function of the cells which are responsible for the daily regeneration of the skin (the skin stem cells).

Stem cells regulate cell replacement in tissues. In the case of the skin, they are responsible for constantly producing new cells to replace those that deteriorate through daily use. Correct function of the stem cells is essential for maintaining healthy tissue throughout the life an organism. The skin is exposed to various harmful agents through the day, such as ultraviolet light during daylight hours, and pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The main function of the skin is to protect an organism from these potential dangers, whilst being an impermeable barrier separating our body from the outside world.

The researchers involved in the study have found that the behaviour of skin stem cells is regulated by an internal biological clock, and that the correct function of this clock is necessary in order to maintain the tissue. This clock regulates the behaviour of stem cells in such a way that, for example, during the peak hours of light exposure, the cells are able to protect themselves from harmful radiation (the main cause of skin cancer), whilst in the evening and at night they can divide and regenerate the tissue replacing damaged cells with healthy ones. In this way, the biological clock allows stem cells to divide at times when the skin is no longer exposed to possible damage, when it would be more vulnerable to the accumulation of mutations in DNA and which would cause a loss of regenerative capacity, or a higher predisposition to tumour development.

"Therefore, the biological clock enables the precise adjustment of the temporal behaviour of stem cells, in such a way that the system adapts to the needs of the tissue according to the time of day and there is constant replacement of the cells of the tissue with minimal risk of accumulating DNA mutations. If this control is lost, stem cells may accumulate DNA damage, and the likelihood of cell ageing and generation of tumours increases significantly." says Salvador Aznar Benitah, coordinator of the study.

The genes Bmal1 and Period1/2 are responsible for controlling this rhythm and regulating cell regenerative activity or rest. Through the genetic manipulation of both genes, the researchers showed that disruption of the biological clock in skin stem cells prevented the cells from knowing when to exercise which function, and that this caused long-term problems in cellular ageing and tissue generation. Moreover, the arrhythmia in the clock also significantly increased the propensity to develop a type of skin cancer which is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in industrialised societies.

The biological clock (commonly known as the "circadian rhythm") arranges all of our biological functions according to the natural cycles of light and darkness to which we are exposed on a daily basis. The results of the group from the Centre for Genomic Regulation show that skin regeneration, essential to prevent from ageing and tumour development, is also subject to these rhythms. As we age, the accuracy of this biological clock tends to fade gradually with changes in our daily routine, specially with those who are exposed to constant changes like jet lag in frecuent flyers. Researchers believe this may eventually cause failure in the regenerative capacity of our tissues and consequent ageing, and, in addition, a greater propensity to tumour development. More research will be needed in the future to understand why the biological clock fades as we age, and whether ways to restore a “young” clock can be developed to slow down the tissue degeneration process and reduce the risk of developing tumours.

The study was carried out using mouse skin cells, with the support of the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), the Spanish Ministry of Health and the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR). The study involved researchers from the IRB in Barcelona, Ohio State University in the USA and the University of Fribourg in Switzerland.