Decreased DNA repair activity in sunburn cells. A possible pathogenetic factor of the epidermal sunburn reaction

Photoprotective role of metallothionein in UV-injury - metallothionein-null mouse exhibits reduced tolerance against ultraviolet-B

We have shown previously that injection of cadmium chloride (Cd(2+)) depletes the number of ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced sunburn cells (SBC) in the mouse skin in vivo and that Cd(2+) treatment enhances UVB resistance in cultured keratinocytes in vitro, indicating the photoprotective role of Cd(2+)-induced metallothioneins (MTs) with antioxidant property against UVB injury. However, there has been no direct evidence for the role of MTs in UV protection. To improve our understanding of MTs in photoprotection, MT-null mouse deficient in MT-1 and MT-2 genes was studied. Skin explants were preliminarily exposed to medium alone, Cd(2+) and Cd(2+) plus buthionine S, R-sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. We then compared the number of UVB-induced SBC and apoptotic cells (AC) in the epidermis of MT-null mice with that of control mice using organ culture systems. The skin of MT-null mice developed a greater number of SBC and AC than did that of normal mice in all experimental conditions. These findings indicate that the skin of MT-null mouse is readily injured by UVB irradiation. MT-null mouse provided direct evidence of the photoprotective effect of cellular MTs in the skin.

Evaluation of apoptotic cells induced by ultraviolet light B radiation in epidermal sheets stained by the TUNEL technique

Two major components of epidermal cells, keratinocytes and Langerhans cells, are injured by ultraviolet light B radiation, resulting in sunburn cell (apoptotic cell) formation, impaired function, and a reduced number of Langerhans cells. Quantitative analysis of Langerhans cell damage is usually performed using epidermal sheets, whereas that of keratinocytes has been performed by counting the number of sunburn cells in vertical tissue sections. In this study we assessed the influences of ultraviolet light B radiation on epidermal cells by apoptotic cell formation, using murine epidermal sheets stained by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling technique. Ten to 75 mJ per cm2 of ultraviolet light B radiation induced apoptotic cells in abdominal skin of C3H mice. The cells were induced in 6 h after 50 mJ per cm2 of ultraviolet light B irradiation with the peak in number in 24 h, 18.8 +/- 5.0 per mm2 and 97.7 +/- 7.4 per mm2, respectively. One week later, the apoptotic cells were not visualized. As C3H/He, BALB/C, and C57BL/6 mice showed almost the same frequency of apoptosis in epidermal sheets from 50 mJ per cm2 ultraviolet light B-irradiated skin, the induction of the cells by ultraviolet light B radiation did not depend on the genetic trait of the mouse. Xeroderma pigmentosum type A gene-deficient mice, however, showed a greater induction of apoptotic cells (216.9 +/- 25.2 per mm2) by ultraviolet light B radiation than xeroderma pigmentosum type A wild-type mice (89.5 +/- 13.6 per mm2) and conventional mice. Pretreatment with a SPF 60 sunscreen agent was quite effective in reducing the induction of apoptotic cells. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy and double staining, 1.5 +/- 2.7% of apoptotic cells were Ia-positive cells in 24 h after 50 mJ per cm2 of ultraviolet light B radiation. Apoptotic Ia-positive cells were not observed 48 h after the radiation. On the other hand, no apoptotic dendritic epidermal T cells were observed in up to 75 mJ per cm2 of ultraviolet light B radiated skin. Thus, nearly all apoptotic cells were keratinocytes, and Langerhans cells and dendritic epidermal T cells appeared resistant to ultraviolet light B-induced apoptosis. Compared with the assessment in vertical tissue sections, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling technique with epidermal sheets appeared to be a more physiologically relevant method for quantitative evaluation of apoptotic epidermal cells induced by ultraviolet light B radiation.

Novel function of metallothionein in photoprotection: metallothionein-null mouse exhibits reduced tolerance against ultraviolet B injury in the skin

We have shown previously that injection of cadmium chloride (Cd2+) depletes the number of ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced sunburn cells in the mouse skin in vivo, and that Cd2+ treatment enhances UVB resistance in cultured keratinocytes in vitro, indicating the photoprotective role of Cd2+-induced metallothioneins (MT) with antioxidant property against UVB injury; however, there has been no direct evidence for the role of MT in UV protection. To improve our understanding of MT in photoprotection, MT-null mouse deficient in its MT-1 and MT-2 genes was studied. Skin explants were preliminarily exposed to medium alone, Cd2+ and Cd2+ plus buthionine S,R-sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. We then compared the number of UVB-induced sunburn cells and apoptotic cells in the epidermis of MT-null mice with that of control mice using organ culture systems. The skin of MT-null mice developed a greater number of sunburn cells and apoptotic cells than did that of normal mice in all experimental conditions. These findings indicate that the skin of MT-null mouse is readily injured by UVB irradiation. MT-null mouse provided direct evidence of the photoprotective effect of cellular MT in the skin.

Modulation of ultraviolet light-induced epidermal damage: beneficial effects of tocopherol

Oxygen free radicals have been shown to result from and mediate deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. The purpose of this study was to determine if topical DL-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) could reduce ultraviolet-induced damage to the epidermis. Twenty mice were treated with either ethanol or a 1:1 mixture of tocopherol and ethanol. Treatments consisted of once-daily 0.1-ml topical applications for 1 week, followed by irradiation with 0.30 mW/cm2 of ultraviolet B irradiation. A statistically significant decrease in Schiff base formation was noted between tocopherol-treated animals and their controls. Histologic study revealed a statistically significant increase in epidermal thickness in tocopherol-treated skin versus controls or vehicle alone. The thicker epidermis was accompanied by the presence of parakeratosis, implicating increased proliferation as the cause of the increasing thickness. The number of sunburn cells was decreased by tocopherol treatment. Tocopherol protection from ultraviolet irradiation may have been due to both direct protection from free radicals and indirect protection by means of increased epidermal thickness. The demonstration of beneficial effects of tocopherol administration suggests that further studies in clinically relevant models to define optimal dosage, frequency of administration, vehicle, and quantitation of the possible protective effects afforded to Langerhans cells may be useful.

Pentoxifylline reduces the formation of sunburn cells

Irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) B light results in the formation of apoptotic keratinocytes called sunburn cells (SC). Although generation of SC appears to be one of the most characteristic features of UV-induced skin damage and has been a well-known phenomenon for a long time, the mechanisms involved are not quite clear. Recently, it was demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) appears to be involved in the formation of SC since neutralization of TNF alpha both in vitro and in vivo reduced UVB-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes. Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative suppressing the release of TNF alpha. Therefore, we studied whether PTX is able to prevent the formation of SC. Addition of PTX to UVB-exposed HaCaT cells reduced DNA-fragmentation as examined by nick translation evaluated by flowcytometry. To prove whether PTX also reduces UVB-induced apoptosis in vivo, BALB/c mice were exposed to UVB on their abdomens, skin biopsies performed 24 h later and SC counted. A single dose of 2000 J/m2 caused a significant induction of SC which were remarkably reduced when PTX was injected intraperitoneally 3 h before and 12 h after UVB exposure. In summary, the data demonstrate that PTX can reduce the formation of SC both in vitro and in vivo and thus further support that TNF alpha is involved in UVB-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes.

Characterization of sunburn cells after exposure to ultraviolet light

Sunburn cells (SBCs) appear in the epidermis shortly after acute UV damage, especially after exposure to UVB light. As yet, the mode of their formation remains to be satisfactorily elucidated. In order to characterize these cells, the expression of various markers of epidermal differentiation following UV exposure was investigated using immunhistochemical procedures. These were applied to paraffin-embedded (microwave technique) and frozen specimens of human skin 24 h after irradiation with 4 times the minimal erythema doses(MED). Normal nonirradiated skin without irradiation served as the control. We used a battery of antibodies directed against the following: cytokeratins (CKs) 5, 10, 17, and 19, actin, cell-adhesion proteins (desmoplakins, desmogleins), markers of terminal epidermal differentiation (filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin), markers of proliferation (PCNA, MIB, K6,16), a marker of endocytosis (clathrin) and markers of cell growth, (transforming growth factor [TGF-alpha]) and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 [bcl-2]. After UV irradiation it was found that CK 5, which is typically confined to basal keratinocytes, was also expressed in suprabasal keratinocytes. The CKs 1 and 10/11 exhibit a normal suprabasal localization, but suprisingly, SBCs were negative for these CKs. Although CK 6,16, and 17 are not usually found in normal epidermis, UVB exposure induced their expression in suprabasal keratinocytes, but again failed to elicit their expression in SBCs. Antibodies specific for markers of late epidermal differentiation (filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin), cell-junction proteins (desmogleins, desmoplakins), proliferation (PCNA and MIB), and endocytosis (clathrin) also failed to produce positive staining of SBCs. Even though TGF-alpha immunoreactivity became detectable in most keratinocytes after UV exposure, this was not the case for SBCs. The number of basally located dendritic cells, most probably melanocytes, exhibiting bcl-2 staining was markedly reduced 6 and 12 h after irradiation as compared with normal skin. SBCs do not express any late differentiation markers, but they do contain proteins typical of basal keratinocytes (CK 5). It can be concluded that SBCs do not develop beyond a more basal-like differentiation pattern, probably as a result of cell death and migration through the epidermis.

Ultraviolet-B-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes: evidence for partial involvement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the formation of sunburn cells

Irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) B radiation results in the formation of apoptotic keratinocytes called sunburn cells. Recently, it was demonstrated that keratinocytes can release tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which is known to cause apoptosis in particular cells. In addition, it has been shown that UVB light induces the release of TNF-alpha by keratinocytes and that keratinocytes express the 55-kD receptor for TNF-alpha. Therefore, we investigated whether TNF-alpha is involved in UV-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes. Normal human keratinocytes and HaCaT cells were exposed to UVB light, and apoptosis was examined by nick translation evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. UVB induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, which was confirmed by electron microscopy. Addition of a polyclonal antibody directed against human TNF-alpha immediately after UVB exposure was able to reduce DNA fragmentation. However, it was not possible to rescue all cells from apoptosis. To prove whether TNF-alpha is also involved in vivo in UVB-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes, Balb/c mice were exposed to UVB on their abdomens, skin biopsies were performed 24 h later, and sunburn cells were counted. A single dose of 2000 J/m2 caused a significant induction of sunburn cells. Subcutaneous injection of a polyclonal antibody directed against murine TNF-alpha immediately after UVB treatment resulted in a significant but incomplete reduction of sunburn cells, whereas injection of a rabbit IgG as a control had no effect. In both the in vitro and in vivo systems, application of recombinant TNF-alpha alone either to untreated keratinocytes or into normal murine skin did not induce sunburn cells. Thus, these data demonstrate that TNF-alpha is involved in UVB-induced apoptosis, but by itself is not able to induce sunburn cells. This further supports the notion that UVB-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes is a multifactorial event.

Effect of beta-carotene supplementation on the human sunburn reaction

Beta-carotene, a quencher of excited species such as singlet oxygen and free radicals, has been reported to protect against cutaneous photodamage, including sunburn acutely and photocarcinogenesis chronically. The present double blind placebo-controlled study examines the effect of beta-carotene supplementation on the human sunburn response and specifically on the induction of sunburn cells at the time of peak reaction intensity (24 h) after a single solar simulated light exposure 3 times the individually determined minimal erythema dose (MED). Administered orally either as a single 120 mg dose to dietarily restricted subjects or for 23 d as a daily 90 mg supplement to subjects on standard diets, beta-carotene increased plasma and skin levels of beta-carotene compared to both pretreatment levels and placebo-treated controls, but provided no clinically or histologically detectable protection against a 3 MED sunburn reaction. Thus, these data suggest that oral beta-carotene supplementation is unlikely to modify the severity of cutaneous photodamage in normal individuals to a clinically meaningful degree.

Effect of glutathione depletion on sunburn cell formation in the hairless mouse

Cutaneous protection against ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation damage by endogenous glutathione (GSH) was evaluated in the epidermis of the hairless mouse by measuring the influence of GSH depletion on sunburn cell (SBC) formation. Cellular GSH exerts antioxidant effects and recent studies have suggested a role for oxygen radicals in the production of SBC. Hairless mice (Skh/h 1) received oral treatment with buthionine S,R-sulfoximine (BSO), an irreversible inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, to deplete cutaneous GSH; 4 d later their ears were exposed to UVB radiation. BSO treatment significantly reduced GSH levels in the epidermis to 10-15% of control levels. Twenty-four hours after UVB exposure, SBC counts in the ears of animals with and without BSO treatment were measured, and those exposed to UVB were found to have increased. Greater numbers of SBC were found in the ears of BSO-treated mice exposed to 15 or 20 mJ/cm2 UVB, than in non-BSO-treated mice exposed to the same UVB doses. At higher UVB doses, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. The results show that endogenous GSH provides the epidermis with measurable protection against injury by low or moderate UVB doses.

Modification of sunburn cell production in 8-MOP sensitized mouse epidermis: a method of assessing UVA sunscreen efficacy

The UVA(320-400 nm) photoprotection of four commercially available sunscreens with different sun protection factors was evaluated in 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) treated mouse epidermis with the number of sunburn cells (SBCs) as the end-point. SBC production in 8-MOP sensitized mouse epidermis with and without application of sunscreens is dose-related. The difference between the slopes of the dose-response curves of the control group and the four sunscreens was highly significant (p less than 0.001). It appears that the SBC production was modified both by the dose of the UVA irradiation administered and by the UVA photoprotection of the four sunscreens. It could be concluded that the number of SBCs in 8-MOP sensitized mouse epidermis is a useful parameter to quantify the degree of UVA photoprotection of sunscreens.

Effects of ultraviolet radiation and immunosuppressive therapy on mouse epidermal cell kinetics

The effects of immunosuppressive drugs on epidermal cell mitotic activity and the proliferative response of epidermis following ultraviolet radiation (UVR) were tested. Hairless (Skh-hr 1) mice were treated with immunosuppressive drugs at equivalent clinical doses with or without concomitant UVR (290-400 nm). Epidermal parameters measured were mitotic index (Im), rate of entry into mitosis (Fm), flash labelling index (FLI), rate of entry into DNA synthesis (Fs) and DNA content (flow cytometric analysis). In non-irradiated skin, prednisolone therapy depressed both mitotic activity and DNA synthesis; azathioprine and cyclosporin A had no effect; cyclophosphamide therapy increased the Fm and FLI values. Following repeated doses of UVR, there were enhanced mitotic activity and DNA synthesis in epidermis. Prednisolone therapy moderately depressed both proliferative responses; cyclophosphamide enhanced mitotic activity; azathioprine and cyclosporin A had no effect on these responses. The significance of these findings in relation to potential for increased susceptibility of skin to UV-induced carcinogenesis is discussed.

Ultraviolet radiation-induced histopathologic changes in the skin of the marsupial Monodelphis domestica. II. Quantitative studies of the photoreactivation of induced hyperplasia and sunburn cell formation

Induction of sunburn cells (SBCs) and hyperplasia of the epidermis of the marsupial Monodelphis domestica by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been studied. A dose of 500 J/m2 (approximately 1 minimal erythemal dose) from an FS-40 sunlamp induced measurable numbers of SBCs with a peak number at 32-48 h post-UVR exposure of skin to photoreactivating light suppressed the induction of SBCs by approximately 75%. Pre-UVR exposure to photoreactivating light had no effect on the induction of SBCs. Induction of hyperplasia also was suppressed to a similar extent by post-UVR photoreactivation treatment. These studies identify pyrimidine dimers in DNA as the major photoproduct involved in the induction of SBCs and hyperplasia in M. domestica by UVR.

Role of oxygen intermediates in UV-induced epidermal cell injury

To investigate the role of oxygen intermediates (OIs) in sunburn cell (SC) formation and development of UV-inflammation in vivo, groups of mice were injected intravenously with OI scavengers, including bovine blood superoxide dismutase (SOD), bovine liver catalase, L-histidine, D-mannitol, and saline (controls) before and/or after UV irradiation with sunlamp tubes (mainly 280-320 nm; 300 mJ/cm2; UVR). Ear thickness was measured before and 6 and 24 h after UVR. Ears were removed 24 h after UVR and the number of SCs per unit length of ear epidermis was counted using hematoxylineosin stained sections. The number of SCs was significantly decreased (p less than 0.02) by a single injection of SOD (10-30 units/g body weight) given either just before or immediately after (less than 15 min) UVR, while SC formation was no longer suppressed by injections given more than 2 h before or after UVR. Four repeated injections of SOD (10 units/g) also reduced SC counts but did not significantly alter ear-swelling responses (ESR). Neither SC counts nor ESR were remarkably suppressed by 4 injections of any of the other active OI scavengers, inactivated SOD, or bovine serum albumin. A single injection of diethyldithiocarbamate, an SOD inactivator, significantly augmented SC formation (p less than 0.05), but did not change ESR. These findings suggest that OIs generated by UVR participate in SC formation but are not apparently involved in UV-edema.

Formation of UV-induced apoptosis relates to the cell cycle

The relationship of the rate of epidermal proliferation to ultraviolet (UV)-induced cell death, namely sunburn cell (SC) formation, was investigated in vivo using the guinea-pig model. The number of SCs was correlated with (1) cellophane tape stripping which stimulates the proliferation rate and (2) treatment with antimitotic and antimetabolic agents which suppress the proliferation rate. The tape stripping performed 14 h before UV irradiation significantly increased the number of SCs counted 24 h after UV irradiation from a mean of 17.4 to 62.6 per section, and the tritiated thymidine (TdR-3H)-labelling index (LI) increased from a mean of 8.1 to 27.4%. SC counts and LI were markedly decreased by the intradermal injection of colchicine, methotrexate, hydroxyurea or 5-fluorouracil given once immediately after the tape stripping. The autoradiographic study showed that 23.2% of SCs were labelled when TdR-3H was given intradermally 1 h before UV exposure, while no SCs were labelled when TdR-3H was given immediately after UV exposure. The labelled SC count (23.2%) which presumably represents S phase cells at the time of UV exposure, was higher than the LI (mean 8.1%). These results suggest that proliferating cells, possibly S phase cells, may be responsible for SC formation.

The sunburn cell in hairless mouse epidermis: quantitative studies with UV-A radiation and mono- and bifunctional psoralens

The production of the sunburn cell by UV-A radiation and topical psoralens in hairless mouse epidermis has been studied. It has been shown that the appearance of this cell is dependent on the dose of both UV-A radiation and of the psoralen. The time-course with 8-methoxypsoralen has peak sunburn cell numbers at 28 hr postirradiation. A comparison of 2 bifunctional (8-methoxypsoralen and 5-methoxypsoralen) and 2 monofunctional (angelicin and 3-carbethoxypsoralen) psoralens showed the former are more potent. This suggests that DNA crosslink lesions may play a rle in sunburn cell production.

Sunscreens prevent sunburn cell formation in human skin

Sunscreens with different sun protection factors were examined for their ability to prevent sunburn cell formation in human skin exposed to ultraviolet radiation from a xenon solar simulator. There was either complete or partial protection against the cytotoxic effects of ultraviolet radiation. Protection was related to the sun protection factor of the sunscreen and to the dose of radiation administered.