Impairment of antigen-presenting cell function by ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract

UV light irradiation of BALB/c mice was found to result in impairment of antigen-presenting cell function. Adherent trinitrophenyl-derivatized cells from the peritoneal exudate cell population or the spleen of UV-treated donors could not induce hapten-specific delayed hypersensitivity responses in UV-irradiated syngeneic mice, whereas adherent trinitrophenyl-derivatized cells from normal mice were able to do so. The failure to induce immunity in UV-treated mice by utilizing UV-treated adherent antigen-presenting cells was associated with the development of antigen-specific suppressor T cells. The implication of these results for UV-induced carcinogenesis is discussed.