The epidermis has evolved to provide a barrier against the environment, which is essential
for survival. This barrier is constituted and continuously regenerated by terminally
differentiating keratinocytes. Here, we summarize the main features of the response to UVB
and oxidizing agents of human keratinocytes and compare it with that of fibroblasts.
Keratinocytes are more resistant to the lethal effects of UVB than fibroblasts and remove
cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) more efficiently than fibroblasts. UV photoproducts are …