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Disruption of biological rhythms leads to premature skin aging
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Scientists have studied the role of daily biological rhythms (circadian rhythms) in the regenerative capacity of skin stem cells. Disruption of these rhythms leads to premature tissue aging and an increased risk of developing skin tumors, including cancer.
Scientists from the Centre for Genomic Regulation have conducted a study to be published in the journal Nature. It describes the role of circadian rhythms, or internal biological clocks, on human activity throughout the day, as well as their impact on the function of skin stem cells responsible for daily skin regeneration.
Stem cells are responsible for the constant renewal of the cellular elements of the skin, replacing those that have already exhausted their functional capabilities as a result of life activity. Proper functioning of stem cells is very important for maintaining tissues in a normal state throughout the life cycle of the body. During the day, the skin is exposed to various harmful substances, such as ultraviolet light during the day, and pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The main function of the skin is to protect the body from these potential pathogens, acting as a kind of barrier, separating our body from the outside world.
The scientists involved in the study discovered that the activity of skin stem cells is regulated by an internal biological clock, and that the correct functioning of this clock is essential for maintaining the tissue in a healthy state. This clock regulates the activity of stem cells in such a way that, for example, during peak light exposure, the cells are able to protect themselves from harmful radiation, while in the evening and at night they divide and restore tissue, replacing damaged cells with healthy ones. Thus, the biological clock allows stem cells to divide at a time when the skin is no longer exposed to possible external damaging factors and does not become so vulnerable as a result of the accumulation of mutations in DNA, which could lead to a loss of regenerative capacity or an increased risk of tumor development.
"The biological clock precisely controls the temporal behavior of stem cells, so that the system adapts to the needs of the tissues depending on the time of day. If this control is disrupted, stem cells begin to accumulate damaged DNA, and the likelihood of cellular aging and the development of skin tumors increases significantly," says Salvador Aznar Benitah, coordinator of the study.
The BMAL1 and period1/2 genes are responsible for controlling this rhythm, regulating cellular activity during the regeneration and rest phases. By genetically manipulating both genes, scientists have proven that disruption of biological rhythms in skin cells leads to stem cells not knowing what function to perform, and as a result - premature cellular aging and accumulation of mutant DNA.
Circadian rhythms organize all of our biological functions according to natural cycles of light and darkness. The results of the study showed that skin regeneration, which prevents aging and the development of skin cancer, is also subject to these rhythms. As we age, these biological rhythms tend to break down. Scientists believe that these breakdowns can eventually lead to disruptions in the regenerative potential of our tissues and the development of tumors.
In the future, the scientists want to conduct additional studies to understand why the biological clock becomes disrupted with age and whether it is possible to develop methods to restore circadian rhythms to slow down the process of tissue degeneration and reduce the risk of tumor development.