UV Radiation: More Than Just Skin Deep

Repeated doses of low-dose whole-body UV exposure increased apoptosis in blood cells.

Recent studies have convincingly demonstrated that ultraviolet radiation adversely affects the immune system, a result primarily attributed to effects on epidermal Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells and on secretion of keratinocyte-derived immunosuppressive cytokines. In this study, investigators conducted experiments to determine if in vivo exposure to ultraviolet light would produce changes in circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Nearly 100 adults with Fitzpatrick skin type II or III received whole-body exposure to 0.7 minimal erythemal dose (MED) UVB or 1.2 MED solar-simulated radiation (96% UVA and 4% UVB) daily for 10 consecutive days. The researchers then analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells taken 24 hours af…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)