Stress responses of human dermal fibroblasts exposed to zinc pyrithione

► Zinc pyrithione (ZnPyr) is cytotoxic in human dermal fibroblasts. ► High ZnPyr induces p53- and p38-dependent response and mitochondrial apoptosis. ► Low ZnPyr induces weak stress response without affecting mitogenic signaling. ► Low ZnPyr stimulates premature senescence in dermal fibroblasts.