title: Cytokine polymorphisms play a role in susceptibility to ultraviolet B-induced modulation of immune responses after hepatitis B vaccination.
abstract: UVB exposure can alter immune responses in experimental animals and humans. In an earlier human volunteer study, we demonstrated that hepatitis B-specific humoral and cellular immunity after vaccination on average were not significantly affected by UVB exposure. However, it is known that individuals differ in their susceptibility to UVB-induced immunomodulation, and it was hypothesized that polymorphisms in specific cytokines may play a role in this susceptibility. In this respect, we previously demonstrated that immune responses after hepatitis B vaccination are influenced by the minor allelic variant of IL-1 beta in the general population. For all volunteers, single nucleotide polymorphisms were determined for the following UV response-related cytokines: IL-1 receptor antagonist (+2018), IL-1 alpha (+4845), IL-1 beta (+3953), TNF-alpha (-308), and TNF-alpha (-238). Exposure to UVB significantly suppressed Ab responses to hepatitis B in individuals with the minor variant for the IL-1 beta polymorphism. Increased minimal erythema dose values (just perceptible), which resulted in higher absolute UVB exposures, were observed in the same individuals. There were no associations observed between UVB-induced immunomodulation and the other cytokine polymorphisms examined. This study indicates that individual susceptibility to UVB radiation needs to be considered when studying the effects of UVB in humans.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. Annemarie.Sleijffers@rivm.nl
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sleijffers
authors.forename: Berran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yucesoy
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kashon
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garssen
authors.forename: Frank R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: De Gruijl
authors.forename: Greet J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Boland
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Hattum
authors.forename: Michael I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Luster
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Loveren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005838:Genotype; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000276:immunology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines