Photoimmunology, DNA repair and photocarcinogenesis

In recent years major progress has been made in identifying the molecular m echanisms by which UV radiation modulates the immune system of the skin. Fr om these studies it appears that the generation of DNA damage and the subse quent activation of DNA repair enzymes play a critical role in the generati on of W-B-induced immunosuppression. These studies have made use of cells f rom both nucleotide excision repair (NER)-deficient individuals and mice. R esults obtained from these studies have important clinical implications for DNA-repair-deficient patients in particular and for effective photoprotect ion of human skin in general. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights res erved.