Tape stripping the stratum corneum for biomarkers of ultraviolet radiation exposure at sub-erythemal dosages: a study in human volunteers

Abstract

Purpose: Prevalence of skin cancer is rapidly increasing. There is a need for non-invasive biomarkers to assess efficacy of prevention strategies aiming at reduction of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Recently, stratum corneum (SC) biomarkers were applied in various inflammatory skin diseases. Here, we explore their suitability as candidate biomarkers for UVR. Material and methods: Twelve volunteers were exposed to a UVB-dose of 0.72 SED, three times a week, during three weeks. As candidate biomarkers, cis-isomers of urocanic acid (cUCA) and 25 immunological mediators were measured in the SC. Results: Eight immunological markers significantly changed from baseline. Of them, IL-1RA/IL-1a and a placental growth factor (PIGF) showed gradual changes during UVR-exposure (p < 0.01 for linear trend). cUCA increased sharply already after the first exposure, however, reached a plateau in the second week. Conclusions: SC represents a promising, non-invasive alternative to skin biopsy in detecting UVRinduced changes. cUCA is the marker of choice for assessment of single UVR-exposure; however, it is less suitable for cumulative UVR-dose. Immunological markers including IL-1RA/IL-1a and PIGF showed gradual changes, and therefore are convenient for monitoring chronic UVR-exposure. These candidate biomarkers might facilitate assessment of the efficacy of preventive measures in the workplace and general population.

Stratum corneum biomarkers after in vivo repeated exposure to sub‐erythemal dosages of ultraviolet radiation in unprotected and sunscreen (SPF 50+) protected skin

“…Twelve healthy volunteers (3 males), with a mean age of 22 (range [19][20][21][22][23][24][25], were recruited at the Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The volunteers had Fitzpatrick skin type II (n = 7) or III (n = 5) 29 and were free of dermatological or systemic disorders.…”

“…The SC was collected using tape strips, following the method which has been described and extensively used in experimental studies. 22,25,36 Briefly, round adhesive tapes (3.8 cm 2 , D-Squame; CuDerm) were attached to the back skin. Each tape was pressed onto the skin for 5 seconds with a standardized force, using a pressure applicator (CuDerm Corporation).…”

“…In our previous work, we identified several candidate biomarkers in the stratum corneum (SC). 22 These included the relative amount of cis-urocanic acid (cUCA) and various immunological mediators. cUCA is present in the SC only upon exposure to UVR and is therefore highly sensitive.…”

Protection Against Solar Ultraviolet Radiation in Outdoor Construction Workers: Study Protocol for a Non-randomized Controlled Intervention Study

“…During the study, SC samples will be collected at the beginning (T = 0), half-way (T = 6 weeks), and at the end of the study (T = 12 weeks) in both groups. The SC will be collected by using adhesive tape strips with a minimally invasive, non-painful method which is extensively used in experimental studies (28)(29)(30). Adhesive tape discs (3.8 cm 2 , D-Squame; CuDerm, Dallas, TX, USA) will be attached to the skin.…”

“…Immunological markers have been proposed to assess the effects of UVR-exposure (37)(38)(39)(40), as the adverse effects of UVR might have occurred before visible changes occur (erythema of the skin), and furthermore, immune response in the skin plays an important role in UVRmediated damage (41). Immunological markers might be in particular useful to assess repeated exposure to UVR (29).…”