New findings have emerged in the field of sunburns, the painful yet protective immune response from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The skin turns reddish and becomes hot to the touch, making it very uncomfortable. UV radiation can also cause general fatigue, mild dizziness, and possible skin diseases. A new study from the University of California (UC) San Diego has found that the sunburn is actually a consequence of RNA damage to skin cells. This finding may possibly lead to new treatments for blocking the inflammatory process, plus a range of other medical conditions.
New findings have emerged in the field of sunburns, the painful yet protective immune response from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The skin turns reddish and becomes hot to the touch, making it very uncomfortable. UV radiation can also cause general fatigue, mild dizziness, and possible skin diseases. A new study from the University of California (UC) San Diego has found that the sunburn is actually a consequence of RNA damage to skin cells. This finding may possibly lead to new treatments for blocking the inflammatory process, plus a range of other medical conditions.
!ADVERTISEMENT!
"For example, diseases like psoriasis are treated by UV light, but a big side effect is that this treatment increases the risk of skin cancer," said principal investigator Richard L. Gallo, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System. "Our discovery suggests a way to get the beneficial effects of UV therapy without actually exposing our patients to the harmful UV light. Also, some people have excess sensitivity to UV light, patients with lupus, for example. We are exploring if we can help them by blocking the pathway we discovered."
The researchers used both human skin cells and a mouse model. They found that UVB radiation fractures and tangles parts of micro-RNA. Typical RNA is responsible for the production of protein, but this special type of RNA is not. The affected cells then release this altered RNA, causing neighboring cells to start a process resulting in an inflammatory response. This biological response is intended to remove the sun-damaged cells.
The individual feels this mechanism and the pain it produces, and sees it as a sunburn.
"The inflammatory response is important to start the process of healing after cell death," said Gallo. "We also believe the inflammatory process may clean up cells with genetic damage before they can become cancer. Of course, this process is imperfect and with more UV exposure, there is more chance of cells becoming cancerous."
Other factors influence the effects of sunburn, including gender, skin pigmentation, and individual genetics.
This research has been published in the journal, Nature Medicine
Beach People image via Shutterstock
