title: Effect of ultra violet irradiation on the interplay between Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes.
abstract: Although ultraviolet (UV) radiation is used to treat several types of diseases, including rickets, psoriasis, eczema, and jaundice, the prolonged exposure to its radiation may result in acute and chronic health effects particularly on the skin, eyes, and the immune system.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was carried out to show the effect of UV on both of the lymphoproliferative response and their capacity to produce IL-12 and IL-10 in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice were exposed to whole body UVB and tested for the effect of recovery times on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production. In addition, direct irradiation of spleens and lymphocyte suspension was carried out. Basal and mitogens-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation was assessed by MTT assay while IL-10 and IL-12 were measured using ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant suppression in lymphocyte proliferation in comparison with control. IL-12 level was significantly reduced while the level of IL-10 was increased. Con A and PWM mitogens had no significant changes in IL-10 while Con A caused a highly significant increase in IL-12 at day 6 of recovery in UVB body irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to UVB radiation could cause a state of immune suppression and shifts Th1/Th2 cell response. This effect is closely associated with the reduction of Th1 cytokines' expression and increase in Th2 cytokines' levels.
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University Alexandria, Egypt.
authors: Salma Y
authors: SY
authors: Abo Elnazar
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University Alexandria, Egypt.
authors: Amany A
authors: AA
authors: Ghazy
authors: Department of Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University Alexandria, Egypt.
authors: Hossam E
authors: HE
authors: Ghoneim
authors: Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University Alexandria, Egypt.
authors: Abdul-Rahman M
authors: AR
authors: Taha
authors: Radiation Biology Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority Cairo, Egypt.
authors: Amira M
authors: AM
authors: Abouelella
keywords: Th1/Th2 response; UV radiation; lymphoproliferative response; polyclonal mitogens