Ultraviolet light induced injury: Immunological and inflammatory effects

Abstract

Summary This article reviews many of the complex events that occur after cutaneous ultraviolet (UV) exposure. The inflammatory changes of acute exposure of the skin include erythema (sunburn), the production of inflammatory mediators, alteration of vascular responses and an inflammatory cell infiltrate. Damage to proteins and DNA accumulates within skin cells and characteristic morphological changes occur in keratinocytes and other skin cells. When a cell becomes damaged irreparably by UV exposure, cell death follows via apoptotic mechanisms. Alterations in cutaneous and systemic immunity occur as a result of the UV-induced inflammation and damage, including changes in the production of cytokines by keratinocytes and other skin-associated cells, alteration of adhesion molecule expression and the loss of APC function within the skin. These changes lead to the generation of suppressor T cells, the induction of antigen-specific immunosuppression and a lowering of cell-mediated immunity. These events impair the immune system's capacity to reject highly antigenic skin cancers. This review gives an overview of the acute inflammatory and immunological events associated with cutaneous UV exposure, which are important to consider before dealing with the complex interactions that occur with chronic UV exposure, leading to photocarcinogenesis.

Alginate–lavender nanofibers with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity to effectively promote burn healing

“…Redness and erythema, due to the vasodilation of the cutaneous blood vessels, are typical cutaneous manifestations of the response of the skin to UVB-induced inflammation, 27,63 and they are characterized by the up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines, together with the release of neuropeptides, histamine, prostaglandins, serotonin and oxygen radicals. 26 Erythema is a multifactorial and complicated reaction in which NO, PG, and cytokines play important roles.…”

“…26 They are also detected after the acute skin exposure to midrange ultraviolet radiation (UVB), such as after sunburn. 27 A plant extract that is traditionally used for its antiinflammatory and calming activity in case of minor burns and insect bites is Lavender essential oil (LO). This oil is derived from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia through steam distillation and exhibits a variety of therapeutic effects: [28][29][30] it reduces anxiety, acts as antioxidant, possesses anticancer and anti-mutagenic properties, relieves pain, and it is suitable for the management of central nervous system disorders.…”

Suppression of UVB-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor kappa B by green tea polyphenol in SKH-1 hairless mice

“…The induction of nonmelanoma skin cancer by chronic UV radiation is the most damaging outcome of epidermal DNA damage, persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and suppression of T-cell-mediated immunity (Clydesdale et al, 2001;Dubois et al, 2001;Nghiem et al, 2002;F'guyer et al, 2003). The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer, comprising of basal-and squamous-cell carcinoma, continues to increase in the United States, and solar UV, particularly its UVB (280-320 nm) spectrum, is the primary cause of these cancers and other cutaneous pathologies in the human population, more so in Caucasian individuals (Mukhtar and Elmets, 1996;Ananthaswamy et al, 1997;Greenlee et al, 2000;Jemal et al, 2000;de Gruijl, 2002).…”

Global surface ultraviolet radiation intensity may modulate the clinical and immunologic expression of autoimmune muscle disease

“…UV radiation, beyond inducing accelerated skin aging and skin cancer, has a number of immunomodulatory effects (4). It triggers cytokine production (5), regulates surface expression of adhesion molecules (6), affects cellular mitosis (7), and induces apoptotic cell death (8). UV radiation may also alter the expression of, cellular location of, or immune responses to autoantigens (9,10).…”