title: Narrow-band UVB-induced externalization of selected nuclear antigens in keratinocytes: implications for lupus erythematosus pathogenesis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze whether sera obtained from patients with lupus erythematosus (LE) react with membrane structures found on keratinocytes irradiated with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB). We applied atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize cell surface structures expressing nuclear antigens upon apoptosis following NB-UVB irradiation. Immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were cultured under standard conditions, irradiated with 800 mJ cm(-2) NB-UVB light and imaged by AFM mounted on an inverted optical microscope. It was observed that NB-UVB irradiation provoked significant alterations of the keratinocyte morphology and led to the membrane expression of antigens recognized by anti-La and anti-Ro 60 kDa sera but not by antidouble-strand DNA sera. The presence of La and Ro 60 kDa antigens on keratinocyte surfaces after NB-UVB irradiation was limited mainly to the small bleb-like protrusions found on the keratinocytes by AFM. A closer investigation by AFM also revealed that some structures positively stained with anti-Ro 60 kDa serum were also located submembranously. We hypothesize that the externalization of some nuclear antigens because of NB-UVB exposure might be responsible for exacerbation of skin symptoms in patients suffering from LE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland. adi_medicalis@go2.pl
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meurer
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viehweg
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Muller
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear