Backgrounds: The skin acts as a protective barrier between the internal organs/body the environment. Skin properties such as hydration, elasticity, and antioxidant capacity play a key role in the skin aging process. AHR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) is one of the involving genes in skin aging. Exposure of keratinocytes and skin fibroblasts to ultraviolet radiation, tobacco smoke etc. increases the expression and activity of MMP-1(matrix metalloprotease) in an AHR-dependent manner. As a result, activation of the AHR signaling pathway and increased CYP activity, leads to the formation of free radicals (ROS), collagen breakdown and the formation of wrinkles. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was performed to collect the genes related to skin hydration, elasticity, and antioxidant capacity. GeneMANIA algorithm was used to recognize the biological connection among the genes. The gene network was created based on protein-protein interaction, genetic interaction, co-localization and pathway. Results: We found 55 genes associated with skin aging. Systematic analysis showed that AHR gene has a biological relationship with NFE2L2, IL6, PTGS2, CYP1B1, ALDH1A1 genes through co-localization and physical interaction. Likewise, we observed JUN gene has the most biological connections with the other skin aging genes. Conclusion: This study shows that the AHR gene may be involved in the aging process of the skin by its antioxidant activity, elasticity, and its association with the other related genes. It introduces JUN gene as an important gene in skin aging. Our study provides insights about the prioritization of the genes are involving in skin aging.
