Human skin suppresses inflammation after exposure to ultraviolet radiation

A study led by an NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre scientist has identified, for the first time, how the human skin suppresses inflammation after exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

Dr. Nathan Hawkshaw is the lead author of a research paper published in Clinical & Translational Immunology, an open access, peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Hawkshaw is an early career researcher entirely funded by NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), with his appointment as a Research Associate at The University of Manchester his first post-doctoral role.

As part of the study, healthy volunteers agreed for their skin to be safely exposed to a single, inflammation-causing dose of UVR in the Photobiology Unit at Salford Royal. Skin samples were then taken, and researchers examined the immune profile and skin composition over time.

Results showed that UVR recruits the T cells, CD4+GATA3+ and CD8+GATA3+ – which help the skin repair itself after UVR exposure to the inflamed area of human skin, while altering the skin composition for 14 days. This differs from separate, earlier studies carried out by other researchers involving mice (experimental models), instead suggesting that UVR-induced inflammation in humans involves a post-resolution phase." During this phase there is considerable immune-modulation meaning a persons immune system stabilises and repairs itself involving different T cells than those seen in experimental models.

Dr. Hawkshaw, who works within NIHR Manchester BRCs Photodermatoses Programme, said: "The results of our translational research challenge current thinking and show, for the first time, that certain cells remain in the surface of human skin for some time after exposure to UVR.

"Essentially, the cells responsible for helping the skin get back to normal after it is exposed to UVR remain there for around two weeks; they could be there to prevent abnormal skin growth, or potentially to act as gatekeepers against further inflammation.

"While we have known why skin becomes inflamed after being exposed to UVR for some time particularly through sun exposure and sunburn what the skin does to resolve this and how it adapts in the longer-term has been unknown until now.

"These findings therefore lay the foundation for future research into why these cells behave the way they do."

This new evidence about how the skin reacts to UVR could assist development of targeted new treatments for patients with excessive inflammatory reactions to sun exposure (Photodermatoses), as well as those with skin cancer.

Professor Lesley Rhodes, who leads the Photodermatoses Programme within NIHR Manchester BRCs Dermatology Research Theme, said: "Congratulations to Dr. Hawkshaw, Dr. Suzanne Pilkington (also at The University of Manchester) and co-authors on publishing this manuscript, which has shown that UVR-induced immune-modulation differs between experimental models and humans, turning previous assumptions on their head.

"Now the processes ongoing in human skin are better understood, more targeted treatments can be developed, which is fantastic news for our patients, and directly aligns with Manchester BRCs precision medicine strategy.

"The fact Dr. Hawkshaw is an early career researcher and that he is fully-funded by Manchester BRC demonstrates our commitment to supporting rising stars in research, as well as our capacity-building as we look ahead to the future."

 

Sean