# PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF PHOTOTOXICITY

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · 1989 · $150,001

## Abstract

The specific objective of this application is to investigate the role
of complement, polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs), and metabolites
of arachidonic acid in phototoxicity.  The long-term objective of
this proposal is to achieve better approaches in the management
of patients with porphyrin and psoralen-induced phototoxicity by
getting more complete understanding of the pathophysiology.
Three phototoxic substances will be used:  protoporphyrin
(elevated in erythropoietic protoporphyria), uroporphyrin
(elevated in porphyria cutanea tarda), and 8-methoxypsoralen
(used in psoralen and ultraviolet-A therapy:  Puva).  The specific
aims are:  1.  To investigate the effect of phototoxic agents,
irradiation, complement, and PMNs on selected cells in the
dermis, namely, endothelial cells and mast cells.  These cells will
be cultured or purified, and incubated with phototoxic agents,
and/or complement, and/or PMNs, and exposed to radiation.  Cell
damage, as well as the following parameters will be measured:
endothelial cells:  generation of eicosanoids; and mast cells:
release of preformed mediators, and generation of eicosanoids.  2.
To study the in vivo effect of phototoxic agents and irradiation on
the metabolism of arachidonic acid in the skin.  Mice will be
rendered phototoxic, the skin will be removed, dermal-epidermal
separation will be performed, and the metabolism of eicosanoids
will be assessed by measuring the conversation of 3H-arachidonic
acid to its metabolites.  Similar study will be performed on serial
skin biopsy specimens obtained from patients receiving PUVA.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157691
- **Project number:** 5R01AR036624-03
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NX9PXMKW5KW8
- **Principal Investigator:** Henry W Lim
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $150,001
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1987-08-01 → 1991-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157691

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157691, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF PHOTOTOXICITY (5R01AR036624-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157691. Licensed CC0.

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