title: Photoimmunology--illuminating the immune system through photobiology.
abstract: We review the field of photoimmunology with emphasis on immunosuppression induced by ultraviolet B radiation. Recent studies have focused on UVB-induced alterations in epidermal Langerhans cell function, resulting in a shift from Th1 to Th2 phenotype and the activation of regulatory T cells as the source of IL-10 that is central to this form of immunosuppression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9069, USA.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leitenberger
authors.forename: Heidi T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Jacobe
authors.forename: Ponciano D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Cruz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000528:radiation effects; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*