# UVB RADIATION--IMMUNODERMATOLOGIC EFFECTS IN HUMANS

> **NIH NIH R01** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 1992 · $183,520

## Abstract

The objective of this proposal will be to address unresolved issues
concerning the immunosuppressive effects of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation
human skin.  We plan to test the hypothesis that UVB radiation mediates its
effects on human cutaneous immune function, at least in part, by inhibiting
the capacity of epidermal tissue to activate populations of T lymphocytes
necessary for the development of cell-mediated immune responses.  We will
first compare the accessory function of unfractionated epidermal cell
suspensions and purified Langerhans cells following in vitro exposure to
various doses of UVB radiation in in vitro T lymphocyte proliferation
assays.  Different antigenic stimuli will be employed each of which
provides complementary information regarding the mechanisms by which
accessory cells activate T lymphocytes.  In other studies, epidermal cell
suspensions and purified Langerhans cells will be pretreated with cytokines
or will be precultured before UVB exposure in an attempt to protect
epidermal accessory function from the adverse effects of UVB radiation.
Efforts will be made to assess the impact of UVB radiation on epidermal
accessory signals, such as adhesion molecule expression and antigen
processing, that are required for T cell activation.  Studies will be
conducted to define the molecular mechanisms by which ultraviolet radiation
inhibits ICAM-1 expression.  Finally, we will correlate the adverse effects
of in vivo UVB radiation exposure on epidermal accessory function with
inhibition in the development of contact hypersensitivity that occurs when
attempts are made to immunize individuals to DNCB by applying it through
UVB-irradiation skin.  Knowledge obtained from these studies may help to
define the effect of UVB exposure on cutaneous immunological processes and
enhance our understanding of the role that this environmental agent plays
in the pathogenesis of human disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3156350
- **Project number:** 5R01AR032593-08
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HJMKEF7EJW69
- **Principal Investigator:** Craig A Elmets
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $183,520
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-08-01 → 1996-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3156350

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3156350, UVB RADIATION--IMMUNODERMATOLOGIC EFFECTS IN HUMANS (5R01AR032593-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3156350. Licensed CC0.

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