Unexpected effects of UVB in IL-10 transgenic mice: normalization of contact hypersensitivity response.
Solar radiation in the UVB range is absorbed primarily by the epidermal DNA where characteristic photodamage results in altered immune responses and mutagenic lesions. UVB exposure of the skin results in a profound upregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 and suppression of contact hypersensitivity (CHS). Given that IL-10 is produced after UVB exposure, and that antibodies against IL-10 have been shown to reverse UVB-induced immune suppression, we hypothesized that IL-10 transgenic mice would show an enhanced immune suppression in response to UVB. Using an IL-10 transgenic mouse model (IL-10tg), we examined the CHS response in unexposed animals and those exposed to UVB. Unexposed IL-10tg animals showed a diminished CHS response compared to wild-type. Surprisingly, however, when IL-10tg animals were exposed to UVB, the CHS response was not further suppressed, but rather was restored to the level observed in unexposed wild-type animals.
Ma
Lisa J
LJ
Division of Biomedical Sciences, The University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA. lma003@student.ucr.edu
Guzmán
Esther A
EA
DeGuzman
Ariel
A
Walter
Barbara
B
Muller
H Konrad
HK
Walker
Ameae M
AM
Owen
Laurie B
LB
D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002452:Cell Count; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016753:Interleukin-10