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Solar UVR and Variations in Systemic Immune and Inflammation Markers
Zhi-Ming Mai1, Scott N Byrne2,3, Mark P Little1
1Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
JID Innovations : Skin Science From Molecules to Population Health
|December 15, 2021
Summary
Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure impacts systemic immunity and inflammation. Increased UVR was linked to lower levels of several immune markers, but higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), indicating significant alterations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Environmental Health
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is known to affect human health, including skin conditions and immune function.
- Previous studies suggest associations between UVR exposure and various diseases, potentially mediated by systemic immune and inflammatory responses.
- Understanding the impact of UVR on circulating immune markers is crucial for elucidating disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between solar UVR exposure and circulating levels of 78 systemic immune and inflammation markers.
- To identify specific biomarkers that are significantly altered by ambient UVR exposure in an aging population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 78 circulating markers using multiplex assays in 1,819 participants (aged 55-74) from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.
- Estimation of solar UVR exposure by linking participant location and blood draw dates to the National Solar Radiation Database (1993-2005).
- Statistical assessment using adjusted weighted logistic regression models and a 5% false discovery rate for significance.
Main Results:
- Solar UVR exposure was significantly associated with 9 out of 78 evaluated markers (P < 0.05).
- Increased UVR exposure correlated with decreased levels of CCL27, CCL4, FGF2, GM-CSF, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), soluble Interleukin-4 receptor (sIL4R), IL-7, and IL-11 (ORs 0.66-0.80).
- The association between UVR and lower CCL27 levels remained significant after multiple comparison correction.
- Conversely, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were found to be elevated with increasing UVR exposure.
Conclusions:
- Solar UVR exposure is associated with significant alterations in circulating systemic immune and inflammation marker profiles.
- Specific immune modulators and inflammatory markers show differential responses to UVR, highlighting potential pathways for UVR-related health effects.
- These findings contribute to understanding the immunological impact of environmental UVR exposure.
Keywords:
AD, atopic dermatitisCI, confidence intervalLLOD, lowest limit of detectionPLCO, Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and OvariansIL4R, soluble IL4RMore Related Videos
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