title: Urocanic acid and immunosuppression.
abstract: Urocanic acid, a molecule found at high concentration in the stratum corneum, acts as a photoreceptor for UV-light, isomerizing from the naturally occurring trans-form to the cis-form. It has been proposed that cis-urocanic acid may mediate the transient alteration in immune surveillance resulting in immunosuppression induced after UV-irradiation, by interacting with immune cells locally and/or systemically to generate T cells with suppressor function. The evidence to support this hypothesis is summarized, and possible interactions of urocanic acid with immune cells and their outcome are discussed.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Norval
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000378:metabolism*; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D012911:Snakes; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014560:Urocanic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D014560:Urocanic Acid