[Immunosuppression induced by ultraviolet rays. Importance for development of non-melanoma skin cancer?].
Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Denmark and it is mainly caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation of the skin not only causes DNA damage in skin cells, but it is also able to activate T cells that suppress the function of the immune system. The exact phenotype of these T cells is not known, but the mechanisms by which they are activated include: 1) Suppressed function of the Langerhans' cells, probably because of altered expression of co-stimulatory molecules; 2) induction of epidermal macrophages; and 3) an altered balance in epidermal cytokines, with increased levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10 and suppressed release of IL-12. The importance of a suppressed function of the immune system is stressed by the fact that patients with transplanted organs who receive immunosuppressive therapy have a markedly increased risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer.
Bang
B
B
Dermatologisk afdeling K, Amtssygehuset i Gentofte. Boban@gentoftehosp.kbhamt.dk
Skov
L
L
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000528:radiation effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
D016207:Cytokines