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Immunologic protection afforded by sunscreens in vitro
V Davenport1, J F Morris, A C Chu
1Department of Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, UK.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Sunscreen SPF doesn't always protect skin immunity. This study developed a new in vitro method using human skin explants to test sunscreen immune protection, finding sunscreens offered significant immune defense beyond their SPF rating.
Area of Science:
- Immunodermatology
- Photoprotection Research
- In Vitro Toxicology
Background:
- Sun Protection Factor (SPF) correlates poorly with skin immune system protection.
- Current methods for assessing sunscreen immune protection have significant limitations.
- Industry lacks routine testing for sunscreen immunoprotection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel in vitro system for evaluating sunscreen immunoprotection in human skin.
- To assess the immune protective capacity of commercial sunscreens using this new method.
- To determine if sunscreens provide immune protection beyond their labeled SPF.
Main Methods:
- Utilized human whole skin explants for in vitro testing.
- Applied five test sunscreens and a vehicle control in a blinded manner.
- Irradiated explants with a solar simulator and assessed immune response via mixed epidermal lymphocyte reaction.
Main Results:
- All tested sunscreens demonstrated significant immune protection.
- Sunscreen immune protection exceeded their labeled Sun Protection Factor (SPF).
- The vehicle control provided no discernible immune protection.
Conclusions:
- The explant-mixed epidermal lymphocyte reaction system offers consistent and reproducible results.
- This in vitro system may be valuable for assigning an "immune protection factor" to sunscreens.
- The findings highlight the importance of assessing sunscreen's impact on skin immunity.