Super-resolution mapping of nuclear stress signaling by probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles in UV-induced skin photodamage
Ultraviolet (UV)-induced photodamage drives oxidative stress, DNA damage, and chronic inflammation, leading to progressive cellular ultrastructure and skin function degeneration. Despite the potential of probiotics as anti-photodamage agents, their nanoscale action mechanism remains unexplored. Here, we utilize super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to investigate the cellular and molecular basis of Lactobacillus plantarum -derived extracellular vesicles ( L. plantarum EVs) in mitigating photodamage. We showed that UV irradiation triggered extensive organellar remodeling along with elevated reactive oxygen species production, DNA damage signaling, and inflammatory activation. Remarkably, pre- and posttreatment with L. plantarum EVs preserved organelle integrity and restored native nanoscale architecture. Additionally, EV treatment delayed UV-induced PARP-1 activation and nuclear condensate clustering, while suppressing NF-κB translocation and downstream inflammatory cytokine expression. These findings establish probiotic-derived EVs as modulators of stress-responsive signaling and structural homeostasis during UV-induced photodamage. By providing a super-resolution mechanistic framework for understanding probiotic EV-mediated modulation of cellular photodamage responses, this study provides a basis for future investigation of EV-based strategies for skin protection.
Authors
- Nae Gyu Kang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3318-3873)
- Yunkwan Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1353-4784)
- Uidon Jeong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4799-2660)
- Hanji Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9635-6084)
- Doory Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2675-106X)
- Bo Kyoung Hwang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2080-2602)
- Ki‐Nam Gu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3445-644X)
- Eui Taek Jeong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4877-3873)
- Sanghee Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4413-3775)
- Ga‐eun Go (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2034-3320)
- Sangoh Choi
- Soo-eun Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6334-2422)
- Minjae Kang
- Seungju Han (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8456-0023)
Institutions
- LG (South Korea) (KR)
- Korea Basic Science Institute (KR)
- Hanyang University (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Science Advances
- Published
- 2026-10-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aek5197
- Primary Topic
- Extracellular vesicles in disease
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Korea Toray Science Foundation
- Korea Basic Science Institute
- National Research Foundation of Korea