Research Progress on the Stromal-Immune Cell Interaction Network and Intervention Strategies in Skin Photoaging

YANG Xianyin^1,2,3, YIN Mingzhu^2,3, ZHONG Li⁴, PAN Yang^2,3, ZHANG Lingnan^1,2,3, HOU Xinghua^2,3, WANG Mei^1,2,3,4*

(¹Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology, Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China; ²Chongqing Technical Innovation Center for Quality Evaluation and Identification of Authentic Medicinal Herbs, Chongqing 404100, China; ³Clinical Research Center, Medical Pathology Center, Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Center and Translational Medicine Research Center, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing 404100, China; ⁴The 111 Project for Biomechanics and Tissue Repair Engineering, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China)

Abstract:

Skin photoaging is an extrinsic aging process caused by long-term and repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Its major pathological features include enhanced oxidative stress, cumulative DNA damage, chronic inflammatory activation, and abnormal extracellular matrix remodeling. In recent years, with the deepening understanding of the skin microenvironment, the dynamic regulatory roles of stromal cells and immune cells in the initiation and progression of photoaging have attracted increasing attention. Focusing on the key molecular mechanisms underlying skin photoaging, this review systematically summarizes the functional changes of stromal cells, including fibroblasts and keratinocytes, as well as immune cells, such as macrophages and Langerhans cells, during the photoaging process. It particularly elaborates on the interaction mechanisms between these two cell populations mediated by inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, matrix-degrading enzymes, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, as well as their roles in disrupting skin microenvironmental homeostasis. On this basis, the review further summarizes potential intervention strategies targeting the stromal-immune cell interaction network and discusses their application value in the prevention and treatment of skin photoaging. Finally, future directions are proposed, including multi-omics integrative analysis, spatiotemporal dynamic mechanism studies, and clinical translation, with the aim of providing a theoretical basis and new research perspectives for the prevention and precision treatment of skin photoaging.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2026.09.0012