title: Shining light on lupus and UV.
abstract: People exposed to sunlight can develop erythema, DNA damage, and photoimmunosupression. Extended exposure of normal epidermis to sunlight will induce dysmorphic keratinocytes with pyknotic nuclei scattered throughout the spinous layer. These 'sunburn cells' are apoptotic keratinocytes and are usually cleared within 48 hours after sunburn. Patients with lupus erythematosus, however, whether it be the discoid, subacute cutaneous, systemic, or tumid form, develop new cutaneous lesions and can experience systemic worsening of their disease. Are sunlight-induced keratinocyte apoptosis and the immune response to these cells abnormal in lupus patients?
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Melanie K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kuechle
authors.forename: Keith B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Elkon
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008177:Lupus Vulgaris / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*