Increase in Vitamin D but not Regulatory T Cells following Ultraviolet B Phototherapy of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

SIGNIFICANCE Vitamin D synthesis is induced by ultraviolet B irradiation of the skin and may have a beneficial effect on the immune system in patients with atopic dermatitis. We measured changes in vitamin D levels and immunological markers in patients with atopic dermatitis receiving ultraviolet B photo therapy. Following ultraviolet B phototherapy, vitamin D levels were increased, as expected, but no changes were found in the immune system. Furthermore, ultraviolet B phototherapy induced equal increases in the vitamin D levels in patients with atopic dermatitis with and without a mutation that causes a defective skin barrier. This study investigated serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and circulating regulatory T cells in patients with atopic dermatitis receiving narrow-band ultraviolet B (nbUVB) phototherapy. Thirty adult patients with atopic dermatitis were included. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at weeks 2 and 4 of nbUVB phototherapy. Skin biopsies were taken at baseline and at week 4. Serum 25(OH) D concentrations increased significantly following nbUVB phototherapy (estimate of change from baseline to week 2: 32.00 nmol/l, confidence interval (CI) 20.48-43.52, p < 0.0001, n = 25; and from baseline to week 4: 50.30 nmol/l, CI 37.28-63.33, p < 0.0001, n = 18). This increase was independent of the filaggrin gene loss-of-function mutation status. Flow cytometry showed no significant change in regulatory T cells or cytokine profiles of T cells in blood. Real-time quantitative PCR showed no change in skin cytokine levels. In conclusion, nbUVB phototherapy was associated with increased serum 25(OH)D concentrations, but not changes in circulating regulatory T cells in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Comparison of Cytokines in Skin Biopsies and Tape Strips from Adults with Atopic Dermatitis

“…Table S1; for all online suppl. material, see www.karger.com/doi/10.1159/000514308) was determined in biopsies by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) performed by AROS Applied Biotechnology A/S (Aarhus, Denmark), as described previously [13]. Expression analysis of RT-qPCR data was performed as described by Pfaffl [5].…”

Both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events are decreased following long‐term narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy in patients with vitiligo: a propensity score matching analysis

“…Another potential mechanism of the protective phototherapy on cardiovascular system includes vitamin D. Phototherapy is known to increase serum concentration of 25(OH)D3 37–39 . Vitamin D deficiency may result in enhanced susceptibility of cardiovascular diseases via pro‐oxidant and pro‐inflammatory mechanisms, and have an influence on endothelial function and arterial thrombogenesis 40,41 .…”

Effects of ultraviolet irradiation with a LED device on bone metabolism associated with vitamin D deficiency in senescence-accelerated mouse P6

“…Several studies have attempted to improve bone morphology in animal models or human subjects using UVR [13,28,29,30], although many studies have demonstrated that UVR is effective on increasing the supply of vitamin D [13,28,29,30,31,32,33]. Of these studies, only the report by Guo [30] showed that long-term UVR (12-weeks) improved bone mineral content and bone mineral density in young rats.…”