Ann Dermatol.  2015 Apr;27(2):163-170. 10.5021/ad.2015.27.2.163.

Inflammatory Cytokine Expression and Sebum Production after Exposure of Cultured Human Sebocytes to Ultraviolet A Radiation and Light at Wavelengths of 650 nm and 830 nm

• Lee WJ
• Chae SY
• Ryu HS
• Jang YH
• Lee SJ
• Kim DW

• KMID: 2264805
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2015.27.2.163

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, visible light, or infrared light therapy for the treatment of acne is the subject of ongoing scientific debate.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to investigate changes in sebum production and the expression of inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), following exposure of cultured human sebocytes to UVA radiation and light at wavelengths of 650 nm and 830 nm.
METHODS
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to measure the gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha), MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9), and AMPs (psoriasin, hBD-2, hBD-3, and LL-37) in cultured sebocytes after exposure to UVA radiation (2 J/cm2, 3 J/cm2, and 5 J/cm2) and light at wavelengths of 650 nm (14 J/cm2, 29 J/cm2, and 87 J/cm2) and 830 nm (5 J/cm2, 10 J/cm2, and 30 J/cm2). Expression of inflammatory cytokine proteins and sebum production were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassays and a lipid analysis kit, respectively.
RESULTS
Exposure of cultured sebocytes to UVA radiation and light at wavelengths of 650 nm and 830 nm did not show a significant increase in the expression of inflammatory cytokines, MMPs, or AMPs. Sebum production was not significantly decreased after exposure to UVA radiation and light at both wavelengths.
CONCLUSION
We propose that UVA radiation, visible light, and infrared light can be used to target Propionibacterium acnes for the treatment of acne, without an increase in the expression of inflammatory biomarkers and sebum production.

Keyword

Inflammatory cytokines; Infrared light; Sebocytes; Ultraviolet A; Visible light

MeSH Terms

Acne Vulgaris
Biomarkers
Cytokines
Gene Expression
Humans
Immunoassay
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-8
Light
Matrix Metalloproteinases
Necrosis
Peptides
Phototherapy
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Propionibacterium acnes
Reverse Transcription
Sebum*
Cytokines
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-8
Matrix Metalloproteinases
Peptides

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The gene expression levels of inflammatory biomarkers in cultured human sebocytes treated with ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation (2 J/cm2, 3 J/cm2, and 5 J/cm2) did not show significant changes compared to those in the controls. However, gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was significantly decreased in UVA-treated sebocytes (3 J/cm2 or 5 J/cm2) compared to the control (*p<0.05). In addition, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 gene expression was significantly decreased in UVA-treated cells (2 J/cm2, 3 J/cm2, and 5 J/cm2) compared to the control (*p<0.05). The expression level of each gene was normalized to that of β-actin and presented as a relative ratio. Error bars represent standard errors calculated based on three independent experiments. IL: interleukin, hBD: human β-defensin.

• 

  Fig. 2 The protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in cultured human sebocytes treated with ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation and light at wavelengths of 650 nm and 830 nm did not show significant change compared to those in the controls. The expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α protein was insignificantly decreased in sebocytes treated with UVA radiation and light at a wavelength of 650 nm compared to the control. Expression levels are presented as relative ratios. Error bars represent standard errors calculated based on three independent experiments.

• 

  Fig. 3 The gene expression of inflammatory biomarkers in cultured sebocytes treated with light at a wavelength of 650 nm did not show a significant change compared to that in the control. The expression level of each gene was normalized to that of β-actin and presented as a relative ratio. Error bars represent standard errors calculated based on three independent experiments. IL: interleukin, TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α, MMP: matrix metalloproteinase, hBD: human β-defensin.

• 

  Fig. 4 The gene expression levels of inflammatory biomarkers in cultured human sebocytes treated with light at a wavelength of 830 nm did not show a significant change compared to those observed in the control. The expression level of each gene was normalized to that of β-actin and presented as a relative ratio. Error bars represent standard errors calculated based on three independent experiments. IL: interleukin, TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α, MMP: matrix metalloproteinase, hBD: human β-defensin.

• 

  Fig. 5 Sebum production in cultured sebocytes treated with ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation and light at wavelengths of 650 nm and 830 nm showed an insignificant decrease compared to that in the control. Sebum production levels are presented as relative ratios. Error bars represent standard errors calculated based on three independent experiments.

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