Search

The effects of ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) on accessory function of human blood adherent mononuclear cells (ADH) for antigen and mitogen-induced responses, and production by ADH of the amplifying cytokine interleukin 1 (IL-1) were examined. Responder lymphocytes were rendered accessory cell dependent by treatment of nonadherent cells with OKIal+complement. UV-B depressed accessory function of ADH in a dose-dependent manner. UV-B at 5 mJ/cm2 decreased accessory function of 2 x 10(4) ADH for tetanus toxoid-induced responses (measured as incorporation of 3H-thymidine) by 84% (P less than 0.001, n = 6) and phytohaemagglutinin-induced responses 91% (P less than 0.001, n = 4). UV-B also decreased accessory activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells but not Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells for a PPD-reactive T cell line. Viability was approximately 90% 0-72 h after exposure of ADH to 5 mJ/cm2 of UV-B. Interleukin 1 (IL-1) activity of supernatants of ADH was assayed on C3H/HeJ mouse thymocytes. Pretreatment of ADH with 5 mJ/cm2 UV-B decreased lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-1 activity from 169 +/- 34 (mean U/ml +/- s.e.) to 4 +/- 1 (P less than 0.01, n = 4). Lysates of UV-B irradiated. LPS-stimulated ADH had no discernible IL-1 activity. Addition of IL-1 partially restored accessory activity of UV-B irradiated ADH for lymphocyte responses to TT. Exposure of ADH to TT or PHA for 30 min before irradiation blocked the inhibitory effect of UV-B on accessory activity. Thus, low doses of UV-B are deleterious to accessory function and to production of IL-1 by ADH. Interference with production of cytokines and with initial interactions of accessory cells with antigen and mitogen may be critical to the effects of UV-B on immunoregulatory function of ADH.

The use of Polypodium leucotomos, a species of fern, has been reported to be beneficial in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and psoriasis, and for prevention of polymorphic light eruption, sunburn, and squamous cell carcinoma. We review the in vivo animal, in vitro human, and human clinical studies performed to help elucidate the actions of and biologic pathways affected by P. leucotomos. These results serve as the scientific rationale and basis for the protection and effectiveness afforded by P. leucotomos in cutaneous diseases.