Deciphering Pathomechanisms in Solar Urticaria

November 2022 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

K. J. Rutter, Michael Peake, Nathan J Hawkshaw, Mark D. Farrar, Lesley Rhodes

Solar Urticaria UVR ultraviolet radiation visible light inflammation DAMP signalling pathways TNFα Toll-like receptors interleukins transcription factor DLX3 skin homeostasis UV light skin inflammation

TLDR The study found that skin inflammation and immune response pathways are activated in Solar Urticaria patients after UV exposure, unlike in healthy people.

The study "Deciphering Pathomechanisms in Solar Urticaria" involved 4 patients with Solar Urticaria (SU) and 4 healthy volunteers. SU is a rare, chronic condition that causes itching or burning skin flares upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and/or visible light. The study used UVR provocation and transcriptome analysis to examine the early events in SU pathophysiology. The results showed that inflammation and DAMP signalling pathways were activated in SU patients but not in healthy controls following UVR exposure. TNFα, Toll-like receptors, and several interleukins were highlighted in the upstream regulator analysis. TNFα release was significantly higher in SU patients' skin 30 minutes post UVR exposure. Notably, the transcription factor DLX3 was predicted to be down-regulated in unexposed skin of SU patients compared to healthy controls, indicating possible disruption of skin homeostasis in SU patients. These findings could help understand the mechanisms underlying SU and identify new therapeutic targets.