Successful separation of apoptosis and necrosis pathways in HaCaT keratinocyte cells induced by UVB irradiation

UVB irradiation can induce apoptotic, necrotic, and differentiation pathways in normal human keratinocytes. The present study was undertaken to determine at what dose of UVB each of these pathways is induced and whether these pathways are distinct or overlapping. We have observed that UVB induces fragmentation of DNA in human HaCaT keratinocytes, in a bimodal manner. Low doses of UVB, 5–20 mJ/cm², increase the levels of apoptosis as shown by increased levels of fragmented DNA, Fas, PARP, and FasL protein, and the number of apoptotic cells as assessed by FACS analysis. At higher doses of UVB (20 and 30 mJ/cm²) the number of apoptotic cells becomes reduced, as does the amount of Fas, PARP, and FasL protein. At these higher doses, cell viability is decreased as measured by DNA synthesis (BrdU labeling) neutral red uptake, which represents an increasing necrotic phenotype. Expression of markers of keratinocyte differentiation, involucrin, keratin K1, and keratin K10, are also observed to decrease with increasing UVB dose. These changes are accompanied by a further increase in DNA fragmentation. We conclude that low doses of UVB (5–20 mJ/cm²) induced an apoptotic pathway, whereas increasing doses (greater than 20 mJ/cm²) of UVB produce a direct necrotic effect and inhibit terminal differentiation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

ER signaling is activated to protect human HaCaT keratinocytes from ER stress induced by environmental doses of UVB

Proteins are folded properly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Various stress such as hypoxia, ischemia and starvation interfere with the ER function, causing ER stress, which is defined by the accumulation of unfolded protein (UP) in the ER. ER stress is prevented by the UP response (UPR) and ER-associated degradation (ERAD). These signaling pathways are activated by three major ER molecules, ATF6, IRE-1 and PERK. Using HaCaT cells, we investigated ER signaling in human keratinocytes irradiated by environmental doses of ultraviolet B (UVB). The expression of Ero1-Lα, an upstream signaling molecule of ER stress, decreased at 1-4 h after 10 mJ/cm² irradiation, indicating that the environmental dose of UVB-induced ER stress in HaCaT cells, without growth retardation. Furthermore, expression of intact ATF6 was decreased and it was translocated to the nuclei. The expression of XBP-1, a downstream molecule of IRE-1, which is an ER chaperone whose expression is regulated by XBP-1, and UP ubiquitination were induced by 10 mJ/cm² UVB at 4 h. PERK, which regulates apoptosis, was not phosphorylated. Our results demonstrate that UVB irradiation generates UP in HaCaT cells and that the UPR and ERAD systems are activated to protect cells from UVB-induced ER stress. This is the first report to show ER signaling in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes.     

Release of cytokines/chemokines and cell death in UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes, HaCaT

Ultraviolet (UV) B can lead to inflammatory responses such as sunburn, which involves the production of various inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and the induction of cell death. Keratinocytes in the skin has one of the highest risks of exposure to UV. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying UVB irradiation-induced inflammation and cell death are not well known. Thus, we investigated the effect of UVB irradiation on the production of various cytokines/chemokines and the induction of cell death in UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). We evaluated 11 cytokines/chemokines in cell culture supernatants from HaCaT cells exposed to 0-400 mJ/cm(2) UVB irradiation. UVB at a dose 400 mJ/cm(2) induced the release of various cytokines; interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, interferon (IFN)-gamma, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. These results suggest that UVB irradiation-induced the release of several cytokines/chemokines and led to cell death in human keratinocytes. UV exposure may be associated with multiple physiological events in the human skin.     

Resveratrol Couples Apoptosis with Autophagy in UVB-Irradiated HaCaT Cells

UVB radiation causes about 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers by damaging DNA either directly or indirectly by increasing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Skin, chronically exposed to both endogenous and environmental pro-oxidant agents, contains a well-organised system of chemical and enzymatic antioxidants. However, increased or prolonged free radical action can overwhelm ROS defence mechanisms, contributing to the development of cutaneous diseases. Thus, new strategies for skin protection comprise the use of food antioxidants to counteract oxidative stress. Resveratrol, a phytoalexin from grape, has gained a great interest for its ability to influence several biological mechanisms like redox balance, cell proliferation, signal transduction pathways, immune and inflammatory response. Therefore, the potential of resveratrol to modify skin cell response to UVB exposure could turn out to be a useful option to protect skin from sunlight-induced degenerative diseases. To investigate into this matter, HaCaT cells, a largely used model for human skin keratinocytes, were treated with 25 or 100 µM resveratrol for 2 and 24 hours prior to UVB irradiation (10 to 100 mJ/cm²). Cell viability and molecular markers of proliferation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy were analyzed. In HaCaT cells resveratrol pretreatment: reduces UVB-induced ROS formation, enhances the detrimental effect of UVB on HaCaT cell vitality, increases UVB-induced caspase 8, PARP cleavage, and induces autophagy. These findings suggest that resveratrol could exert photochemopreventive effects by enhancing UVB-induced apoptosis and by inducing autophagy, thus reducing the odds that damaged cells could escape programmed cell death and initiate malignant transformation.     

Oxidative stress mediates cell surface expression of SS-A/Ro antigen on keratinocytes

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation exacerbates the skin lesions of autoimmune diseases, and is known to induce cell surface expression of SS-A/Ro antigen on keratinocytes in vitro. Following up on recent reports on ultraviolet-B (UVB)-induced oxidative stress, we examined the role of oxidative stress in the surface expression of SS-A/Ro antigen on human keratinocytes. First, the exclusive induction by UVB irradiation of the 52-kDa protein (Ro52) but not of the 60-kDa protein (Ro60) of SS-A/Ro antigen was demonstrated by means of indirect immunofluorescence. The surface expression of Ro52 induced by UVB irradiation was concentration-dependently inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine, an antioxidant. Furthermore, surface expression of Ro52 was similarly induced by diamide, a chemical oxidant. We next used Hoechst 33342 staining and the TUNEL assay to demonstrate that a low dose (20 mJ/cm(2)) of UVB did not induce apoptosis but induced the surface expression of Ro52. Moreover, zVAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, did not inhibit UVB-induced surface expression of Ro52 even at a high dose (200 mJ/cm(2)) of UVB, which was sufficient to induce apoptosis in keratinocytes in the absence of zVAD-fmk. Taken together, we concluded that UVB-induced surface expression of Ro52 on keratinocytes is mediated by oxidative stress through a pathway other than apoptosis.     

Detection of poly(ADP-ribose) by immunocytochemistry: a sensitive new method for the early identification of UVB- and H2O2-induced apoptosis in keratinocytes

Apoptosis is an active form of cell death that is initiated by a variety of stimuli, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) is formed upon activation of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and therefore was suggested as a new marker of apoptosis. Since DNA of epidermal cells represents a well-known chromophore for UVB irradiation, and UVB is known to generate H2O2 in keratinocytes, we hypothesized that PAR is a very sensitive marker of UVB- and H2O2-induced apoptosis in keratinocytes. In order to test this hypothesis, human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) were UVB-irradiated or treated with H2O2, and subsequently apoptosis was identified by comparing conventional parameters such as morphological analysis, DNA laddering, and TUNEL assay, with PAR formation. Both, UVB and H2O2 treatment induced PAR formation in HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner, and its formation was detected as early as 4 h after irradiation, and at lower UVB doses (10 mJ/cm2) than observed by DNA laddering and the TUNEL assay. In conclusion, the detection of PAR formation is a very sensitive and early method for the identification of apoptotic cells in UVB-induced apoptosis of human keratinocytes.     

Distinct melanogenic response of human melanocytes in mono-culture, in co-culture with keratinocytes and in reconstructed epidermis, to UV exposure

Striking differences are observed in the melanogenic response of normal human melanocytes to UVA and UVB irradiation depending on culture conditions and the presence of keratinocytes. Exposure of melanocytes co-cultured with keratinocytes to UVB irradiation triggered, already at low doses (5 mJ/cm2), an increase in melanin synthesis whereas in melanocyte mono-cultures, UVB doses up to 50 mJ/cm2 had no melanogenic effect. Unlike UVB, UVA exposure caused the same melanogenic response in both mono- and co-cultures. Removing certain keratinocyte growth factors from the co-culture medium abolished the melanogenic response to UVB, but not to UVA exposure. When integrated into the basal layer of a reconstructed human epidermis, human melanocytes similarly reacted to UVA and UVB irradiation as in vivo by increasing their production and transfer of melanin to the neighboring keratinocytes which resulted in a noticeable tanning of the reconstructed epidermis. The presence of a dense stratum corneum, known to scatter and absorb UV light, is responsible for higher minimal UVB and UVA doses required to trigger a melanogenic response in the reconstructed epidermis compared to keratinocyte-melanocyte co-cultures. Furthermore, an immediate tanning response was observed in the pigmented epidermis following UVA irradiation. From these results we conclude that: (i) keratinocytes play an important role in mediating UVB-induced pigmentation, (ii) UVA-induced pigmentation is the result of a rather direct effect on melanocytes and (iii) reconstructed pigmented epidermis is the most appropriate model to study UV-induced pigmentation in vitro.     

Distinct Melanogenic Response of Human Melanocytes in Mono‐culture,in Co‐Culture with Keratinocytes and in Reconstructed Epidermis,to UV Exposure

Striking differences are observed in the melanogenic response of normal human melanocytes to UVA and UVB irradiation depending on culture conditions and the presence of keratinocytes. Exposure of melanocytes co‐cultured with keratinocytes to UVB irradiation triggered, already at low doses (5 mJ/cm²), an increase in melanin synthesis whereas in melanocyte mono‐cultures, UVB doses up to 50 mJ/cm² had no melanogenic effect. Unlike UVB, UVA exposure caused the same melanogenic response in both mono‐ and co‐cultures. Removing certain keratinocyte growth factors from the co‐culture medium abolished the melanogenic response to UVB, but not to UVA exposure. When integrated into the basal layer of a reconstructed human epidermis, human melanocytes similarly reacted to UVA and UVB irradiation as in vivo by increasing their production and transfer of melanin to the neighboring keratinocytes which resulted in a noticeable tanning of the reconstructed epidermis. The presence of a dense stratum corneum, known to scatter and absorb UV light, is responsible for higher minimal UVB and UVA doses required to trigger a melanogenic response in the reconstructed epidermis compared to keratinocyte–melanocyte co‐cultures. Furthermore, an immediate tanning response was observed in the pigmented epidermis following UVA irradiation. From these results we conclude that: (i) keratinocytes play an important role in mediating UVB‐induced pigmentation, (ii) UVA‐induced pigmentation is the result of a rather direct effect on melanocytes and (iii) reconstructed pigmented epidermis is the most appropriate model to study UV‐induced pigmentation in vitro.     

树莓粗多糖对UVB诱导HaCaT细胞光损伤的防护作用

多糖是树莓功能性成分之一,具有抗炎、抗氧化、抗疲劳、降血糖、免疫调节等多种药理作用。但树莓多糖对紫外线造成的皮肤细胞光损伤是否具有防护作用尚未见报道。本研究旨在探究树莓粗多糖(raspberry crude polysaccharide, RCP)对中波紫外线(ultraviolet B,UVB)诱导的人永生化角质形成细胞(human immortalized keratinocytes, HaCaT)光损伤的防护作用。通过建立HaCaT细胞的UVB光损伤模型,利用CCK-8法测定细胞活力,酶联免疫吸附法(enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay, ELISA)和微板法测定HaCaT细胞中炎症因子、基质金属蛋白酶和抗氧化因子的含量,评估RCP的抗UVB活性。采用体外自由基清除实验检测RCP对DPPH自由基(DPPH·)和ABTS自由基(ABTS·⁺)的清除能力。结果表明,RCP能明显提高被UVB损伤的HaCaT细胞活力,且随浓度升高作用增强(P<0.01或P<0.05)。与未加入RCP处理的HaCaT细胞比较,人基质金属蛋白...     

Potentiation of UVB-induced apoptosis by novel phytosphingosine derivative, tetraacetyl phytosphingosine in HaCaT cell and mouse skin

Inappropriate apoptosis results in the epidermal hyperplasia as in psoriasis and UVB irradiation has been successfully used to treat this kind of skin disorders. Previously, we reported that the novel phytosphingosine derivative, tetraacetyl phytosphingosine (TAPS) induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells. This study examined the effect of UVB irradiation and/or TAPS on the induction of apoptosis in HaCaT. 10 mJ/cm2 of UVB irradiation or 10 microM of TAPS alone exhibited weak cytotoxicity but co-treatment of UVB and TAPS synergistically enhanced the cytotoxicity and apoptosis in HaCaT. The cells treated with UVB and TAPS showed much higher levels of cleaved caspase-3, -8, -9 and Bax than with UVB or TAPS alone, whereas Bcl-2 level was decreased by co-administration of UVB and TAPS. In hairless mice, co-treatment of UVB and TAPS synergistically increased apoptosis, as shown in the HaCaT co-treated with UVB and TAPS. Furthermore, UVB irradiation caused an increase of apoptotic cells in the epidermis and the TAPS-treated mice showed an increase of apoptotic cells in the dermis as well as in the epidermis. These results suggest that the TAPS co-treatment synergistically increases the level of UVB-induced apoptosis via caspase activation by regulating the level of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2.     

Thrombomodulin exerts cytoprotective effect on low-dose UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells

Thrombomodulin (TM) is an endothelial cell surface anticoagulant glycoprotein that performs antimetastatic, angiogenic, adhesive, and anti-inflammatory functions in various tissues. It is also expressed in epidermal keratinocytes. We found that a physiological dose (10 mJ/cm²) of mid-wavelength ultraviolet irradiation (UVB) significantly induced TM expression via the p38mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/cyclic AMP response element (CRE) signaling pathway in the epidermal keratinocyte cell line HaCaT; this shows that TM regulates the survival of HaCaT cells. SB203580, a p38MAPK inhibitor, significantly decreased TM expression and the viability of cells exposed to UVB. Furthermore, overexpression of TM markedly increased cell viability, and it was abrogated by TM small interfering RNA (siRNA), suggesting that TM may play an important role in exerting cytoprotective effect on epidermal keratinocytes against low-dose UVB.     

Protective effect of inositol hexaphosphate against UVB damage in HaCaT cells and skin carcinogenesis in SKH1 hairless mice

UVB radiation damages keratinocytes, potentially inducing chronic skin damage, cutaneous malignancy, and suppression of the immune system. Naturally occurring agents have been considered for prevention and treatment of various kinds of cancer, including skin cancer. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), an antioxidant, is a naturally occurring polyphosphorylated carbohydrate that has shown a strong anticancer activity in several experimental models. We assessed the protective effects of IP6 against UVB irradiationinduced injury and photocarcinogenesis by using HaCaT cells (human immortalized keratinocytes) and SKH1 hairless mice. We found that IP6 counteracts the harmful effects of UVB irradiation and increases the viability and survival of UVB-exposed cells. Treatment with IP6 after UVB irradiation (30 mJ/cm(2)) arrested cells in the G(1) and G(2) M phases while decreasing the S phase of the cell cycle. Treatment with IP6 also decreased UVB-induced apoptosis and caspase 3 activation. Topical application of IP6 followed by exposure to UVB irradiation in SKH1 hairless mice decreased tumor incidence and multiplicity as compared with control mice. Our results suggest that IP6 protects HaCaT cells from UVB-induced apoptosis and mice from UVB-induced tumors.     

不同功率的激光刺激对小鼠C2C12成肌细胞耗氧率水平的影响及机制

目的：探讨不同功率的低强度650 nm激光刺激对C₂C₁₂成肌细胞耗氧率水平和相关蛋白的影响及其机制。方法：以体外培养的C₂C₁₂小鼠成肌细胞作为实验对象,以4×10⁵个/孔接种于牵张6孔板中,采用输出功率5 mW,波长650 nm的二极管激光进行单次刺激,激光照射剂量分别0 J/cm²（0 min）、0.4 J/cm²（12.8 min）、0.8 J/cm²（25.6 min）。实验结束后,采用耗氧率试剂盒（Luxcel Biosciences）检测细胞耗氧率;提取细胞总蛋白,采用Western blot技术检测成肌调节因子（MyoD）、过氧化物酶体增殖活化受体γ共激活因子1α（PGC-1α）、雷帕霉素靶蛋白和磷酸化蛋白（p-mTOR/mTOR）表达。结果：与对照组相比,低剂量组细胞氧化耗氧率结果、MyoD、PGC-1α蛋白表达显著增加（P<0.05）,高剂量组MyoD、PGC-1α蛋白表达显著增加（P<0.05）,p-mTOR/mTOR蛋白显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：较低剂量（0.4 J/cm²）的650 nm低强度激光增强了细胞氧化功能水平,并对细胞分化相关蛋白有一定影响。其机制可能与适宜的激光刺激影响PGC-1α蛋白的表达,进而影响线粒体氧化呼吸有关。     

Protective properties of ginsenoside Rb3 against UV-B radiation-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes

This work aimed to evaluate the skin anti-photoaging properties of ginsenoside Rb3 (Rb3), one of the main protopanaxdiol-type ginsenosides from ginseng, in HaCaT keratinocytes. The skin anti-photoaging activity was assessed by analyzing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), pro-matrix metalloproteinase-2 (proMMP-2), pro-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (proMMP-9), total glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as well as cell viability in HaCaT keratinocytes under UV-B irradiation. When HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to Rb3 prior to UV-B irradiation, Rb3 exhibited suppressive activities on UV-B-induced ROS, proMMP-2, and proMMP-9 enhancements. On the contrary, Rb3 displayed enhancing activities on UV-B-reduced total GSH and SOD activity levels. Rb3 could not interfere with cell viabilities in UV-B-irradiated HaCaT keratinocytes. Rb3 plays a protective role against UV-B-induced oxidative stress in human HaCaT keratinocytes, proposing its potential skin anti-photoaging properties.     

Polypeptide from Chlamys farreri protects HaCaT cells from UVB-induced apoptosis

A natural polypeptide from marine Chlamys farreri (a kind of scallop) (PCF), has been recently been found to be an effective photoprotective agent against ultraviolet rays B (UVB)-induced mitochondria damage in normal human fibroblasts. To investigate whether PCF has the antiapoptotic effect on human keratinocytes, in the present study, we established an apoptotic model on HaCaT cell line by means of UVB radiance of 30 mJ/cm(2) and compared the effect of different PCF treatments on UVB-radiated cells. Flow cytometry analyses showed that PCF treatment before UVB-irradiation inhibited UVB-induced apoptosis, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim) and the increase of free Ca(2+) level in HaCaT cells. In parallel with these results, UVB-irradiation enhanced activities of caspases-3, 8, 9, while this enhancement was inhibited by PCF treatment prior to irradiation. PCF added after irradiation neither reduced UVB-induced activities of the three caspases nor synergized the effect of pre-added PCF. Cellular ultrastructural features obtained from transmission electron microscopy further confirmed the antiapoptotic effect of PCF pre-treatment. It is concluded that the antiapoptotic effect of PCF is not therapeutic but prophylactic. Caspases-3, 8, 9, Deltapsim and calcium are involved in UVB-induced apoptosis, while prophylactic PCF inhibits apoptosis of UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells by blocking the caspases activities, the Deltapsim lost and the elevation of intracellular free Ca(2+) level.     

Genetic variation of the cutaneous HPA axis: An analysis of UVB-induced differential responses

Mammalian skin incorporates a local equivalent of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis that is critical in coordinating homeostatic responses against external noxious stimuli. Ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) is a skin-specific stressor that can activate this cutaneous HPA axis. Since C57BL/6 (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) strains of mice have different predispositions to sensorineural pathway activation, we quantified expression of HPA axis components at the gene and protein levels in skin incubated ex vivo after UVB or sham irradiation. Urocortin mRNA was up-regulated after all doses of UVB with a maximum level at 50 mJ/cm² after 12 h for D2 and at 200 mJ/cm² after 24 h for B6. Proopiomelanocortin mRNA was enhanced after 6 h with the peak after 12 h and at 200 mJ/cm² for both genotypes of mice. ACTH levels in tissue and media increased after 24 h in B6 but not in D2. UVB stimulated β-endorphin expression was higher in D2 than in B6. Melanocortin receptor 2 mRNA was stimulated by UVB in a dose-dependent manner, with a peak at 200 mJ/cm² after 12 h for both strains. The expression of Cyp11a1 mRNA — a key mitochondrial P450 enzyme in steroidogenesis, was stimulated at all doses of UVB irradiation, with the most pronounced effect after 12–24 h. UVB radiation caused, independently of genotype, a dose-dependent increase in corticosterone production in the skin, mainly after 24 h of histoculture. Thus, basal and UVB stimulated expression of the cutaneous HPA axis differs as a function of genotype: D2 responds to UVB earlier and with higher amplitude than B6, while B6 shows prolonged (up to 48 h) stress response to a noxious stimulus such as UVB.     

Sustained release of Smac/DIABLO from mitochondria commits to undergo UVB-induced apoptosis

Apoptotic response of keratinocytes to UVB irradiation has physiological significance on photocarcinogenesis. Here, we show that the sustained release of Smac/DIABLO from mitochondria is an important event for the onset of apoptosis in keratinocytes exposed to UVB irradiation. In human keratinocyte HaCaT cells, UVB irradiation at 500 J/m², but not at 150 J/m², induces apoptosis. Significant activations of caspases-9 and -3, and slight activation of caspase-7 were observed only in 500 J/m² UVB irradiated HaCaT cells. Correspondingly, the cleavage of PARP, a substrate of caspases-3 and -7, was detected in cells irradiated at 500 J/m² UVB, but not at 150 J/m². However, with both 150 and 500 J/m² UVB irradiation, cytochrome c, an activator of caspase-9 via the formation of apoptosome, was released from mitochondria to the cytosol at the same extent. In contrast, significant amounts of Smac/DIABLO are released from mitochondria to the cytosol only with 500 J/m² UVB irradiation, and that the level of XIAP is decreased. These results suggest that the extent of Smac/DIABLO efflux from mitochondria is a determinant whether a cell will undergo apoptosis or survival.     

Role for tumor necrosis factor-alpha in UVB-induced conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in cultured keratinocytes

UVB irradiation of cultured human keratinocytes induces both the conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to calcitriol (1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)) and the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in these cells. Calcitriol synthesis in human keratinocytes was reduced in the presence if a neutralizing polyclonal antibody directed against human TNF-alpha. On the other hand, we found a 1.7-fold higher stimulatory effect of UVB on liberation of TNF-alpha in cultured keratinocytes enriched with 7-DHC compared with irradiated cell cultures in absence of 7-DHC. These observations argue in favor of a synergetic relationship between generation of TNF-alpha and calcitriol in UVB irradiated keratinocytes. In addition, we found that TNF-alpha potently increases the conversion rate of Vitamin D(3) (cholecalciferol) to calcitriol in this cell system. The UVB-triggered formation of both TNF-alpha and calcitriol in cultured keratinocytes was wavelength-, time- and dose-dependent. Maximum formation of TNF-alpha and calcitriol was found at 300 nm and UVB doses of 30 mJ/cm2. The enhancement of both the formation of TNF-alpha and calcitriol in keratinocytes by UVB may be of relevance for regulation of growth and apoptosis in light-exposed epidermal cells and, in addition, may play a role in the UVB treatment of diseased skin including psoriasis.