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Published on: September 7, 2013
Timecourse study of UVB-induced cytokine induction in whole mouse skin
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida, USA.
Insights
This study reveals that cytokine production in whole mouse skin after UVB radiation differs from previous cell culture findings. It identifies new UVB-induced cytokines, offering a more complete picture of skin
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Skin is a key site of immunological activity, with research focusing on cytokine production by skin cells.
- Previous studies often used isolated cells or cell lines, potentially missing crucial in-tissue interactions.
- Cytokines function within a complex network, and their biological outcomes are influenced by co-existing cytokines in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the time-course of cytokine induction in whole mouse skin following UVB irradiation.
- To compare cytokine kinetics in whole skin with findings from isolated cell studies.
- To identify novel cytokines induced by UVB radiation in the skin.
Main Methods:
- Utilized whole mouse skin (dermis and epidermis) for UVB irradiation studies.
- Employed a Multi-probe RNase protection assay system for detailed analysis.
- Conducted a time-course study with low and high doses of UVB radiation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated distinct kinetics of cytokine induction in whole skin compared to tissue culture models.
- Confirmed the UVB induction of known skin-associated cytokines.
- Reported the presence and UVB induction of previously unidentified cytokines in skin.
Conclusions:
- Whole skin models provide more physiologically relevant insights into cytokine responses than isolated cell studies.
- UVB radiation significantly alters the cytokine milieu in skin, with unique temporal patterns.
- This research expands the known repertoire of UVB-responsive cytokines in skin.
Abstract:
Ever since the skin was recognized as a site of immunologic activity, a number of laboratories have studied the production of cytokines by skin cells and the effects of chemicals, allergens, contact irritants and UVB radiation on their production. Most research to date has been carried out using either purified populations of primary cells, or established cell lines. Cytokines, however, do not function in isolation but they appear in human tissues within the context of other cytokines that can, in turn, strongly influence the final biological outcome. Therefore, in vivo studies using whole skin are more physiologically relevant since all cell types are present and interactions among them are allowed to proceed. We report here the results of a detailed timecourse study using whole mouse skin, consisting of both dermis and epidermis, irradiated with either a low or high dose of UVB and analyzed using a Multi-probe RNase protection assay system. The results show that in whole skin the kinetics of cytokine induction are different than what was previously observed in tissue culture. In addition to already known skin-associated cytokines, we report here the presence and UVB induction of cytokines not previously reported.
