Ultraviolet B decreases DNA methylation level of CD4+ T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, DNA methylation level of CD4+ T cells exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) was investigated and its potential mechanisms were also explored. METHODS: CD4+ T cells from 12 cases of healthy subjects and 33 cases of SLE patients were isolated and exposed to different dosages (0, 50, 100 mJ/cm2) of UVB. Further, SLE patients were divided into two groups: active SLE group (22 cases, SLEDAI scores >4) and inactive SLE group (11 cases, SLEDAI scores ≤4). DNA methylation was evaluated by the Methylamp™ Global DNA Methylation Quantification Ultra Kit. The mRNA and protein expression levels of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1 and DNMT3A) were detected by real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. RESULTS: The levels of DNA methylation and DNMT3A mRNA in SLE patients were significantly decreased compared with those in healthy subjects at baseline. After different dosages of ultraviolet irradiation (0, 50 and 100 mJ/cm2), DNA methylation levels of CD4+ T cells were all reduced in a dose-dependent manner in three subgroups. Additionally, 100 mJ/cm2 ultraviolet irradiation in active SLE group contributed to a significant decrease of both DNA methylation and DNMT3A mRNA levels in CD4+ T cells. UVB exposure had no significant effects on expression levels of DNMT1 mRNA and protein and DNMT3A protein. CONCLUSION: UVB decreases DNA methylation level of CD4+ T cells in SLE patients probably via inhibiting DNMT3A mRNA expression level, which needs to be further explored.

Chemopreventive mechanism of polypeptides from Chlamy Farreri (PCF) against UVB-induced malignant transformation of HaCaT cells.

To investigate polypeptide from Chlamy Farreri (PCF)'s protective effect against skin cancer, we used a cellular model of ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced malignant transformation. The human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT was repeatly exposed to UVB (10 mJ/cm(2), 20 times) and malignant transformation was confirmed by Gimesa staining, cell cycle analysis and various assays [anchorage independent growth, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) activity, plating efficiency]. The malignant transformation was found to be effectively prevented by PCF pretreatment (2.84mM for 2h prior to each UVB exposure). We investigated the mechanism of PCF-mediated action by determining its effect on DNA methylation status of the tumour suppressor genes [P16 and ras association domain family 1 A (RASSF1A)] in the UVB-transformed cells. Both genes were found to be hypermethylated by chronic UVB exposure. The expression levels of P16, RASSF1A, DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and DNA damage inducible protein a (GADD45a) were measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. While chronic UVB exposure was found to suppress the expression of P16 and RASSF1A, it enhanced the expression of DNMT3b. In the early phase of UVB-induced malignant transformation, the GADD45a expression was increased, however, it declined with a continued irradiation of the cells. The UVB-induced DNA hypermethylation of P16 and RASSF1A and subsequent gene silencing was reversed by PCF treatment. The inhibition of DNMTs expression suggested that PCF blocked DNA methylation and thereby the silencing of tumour suppressor genes. Furthermore, the PCF-mediated substantial increase in GADD45a expression indicated that PCF promoted demethylation of tumour suppressor genes via GADD45a induction.