Interleukin 11 reduces apoptosis in UVB-irradiated mouse skin

Background: UVB radiation, the major cause of skin cancer, causes apoptosis in the skin, characterized by the appearance of 'sunburn cells'. Interleuk in 11 (IL-11) has been shown to protect cells in the gastrointestinal syste m from chemotherapy and radiation-induced death, Objective: To determine wh ether exogenous IL-11 has any effect on the UVB-induced apoptosis of cutane ous tissues. Methods: Mice were injected with IL-11 or vehicle control prio r to irradiation, and TUNEL assays were performed on paraffin-embedded tiss ue sections at various times after irradiation. Results: Exogenous IL-11 pr otects epidermal keratinocytes, epithelial cells of the hair follicles infl ammatory cells and fibroblasts in the dermis from UVB-induced apoptotic dea th. Conclusion: These findings suggest that IL-11 may play a role in the ge neral homeostasis of the skin. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel.