loading page

Narrowband ultraviolet B induces peripheral regulatory T cells to exert antigen-specific immune suppression
  • +9
  • Chun-Hao Lu,
  • Ching-Hui Tsai,
  • Iquo O. Phillip,
  • Pei-Chuan Chiang,
  • Shao-Han Chang,
  • Huan-Yuan Chen,
  • Hao-Jui Weng,
  • Pi-Hui Liang,
  • Shih-Yu Chen,
  • Fu-Tong Liu,
  • Tsen‑Fang Tsai,
  • Yungling Lee
Chun-Hao Lu
Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica
Author Profile
Ching-Hui Tsai
Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica
Author Profile
Iquo O. Phillip
Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica
Author Profile
Pei-Chuan Chiang
Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica
Author Profile
Shao-Han Chang
Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica
Author Profile
Huan-Yuan Chen
Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica
Author Profile
Hao-Jui Weng
Taipei Medical University
Author Profile
Pi-Hui Liang
National Taiwan University School of Pharmacy
Author Profile
Shih-Yu Chen
Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica
Author Profile
Fu-Tong Liu
Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica
Author Profile
Tsen‑Fang Tsai
National Taiwan University Hospital Department of Dermatology
Author Profile
Yungling Lee
Institute of Biomedical Sciences Academia Sinica

Corresponding Author:leolee@ibms.sinica.edu.tw

Author Profile

Abstract

Background: Commonly used to treat inflammatory skin diseases, narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) has been shown to induce antigen-specific immune suppression when combined with alloantigen immunization, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Methods: We used cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) to analyze the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 19 psoriasis patients enrolled in UVB trial. Mouse models of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced skin inflammation and allogeneic skin transplantation were used to investigate the effects of UVB on antigen-specific regulatory T cell (Treg) induction. We applied bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) methods to the analysis of mouse skin Tregs and PBMCs, respectively. Results: CyTOF analysis revealed patients’ therapeutic response to be determined by a cluster of CD4 + T cells expressing T cell receptor (TCR)-activated and Treg-associated molecules. In clinical trial and mouse models of skin inflammation and allogeneic skin transplantation, UVB led to immunosuppressive phenotypes through antigen-specific Treg induction. RNA-seq from mouse skin Tregs showed that UVB enhanced gene expression associated with cell stability, cellular location, and cell proliferation. When compiling with human peripheral Tregs analyzed by scRNA-seq, we found similar gene expression patterns involved in Treg differentiation, maintenance, and function. Furthermore, scRNA-seq analysis also demonstrated that UVB inhibited negative regulators of Treg development, thereby promoting CD4 + T differentiation into Tregs, clonal expansion of which was also noted. Conclusions: Our findings suggest UVB can induce antigen-specific Tregs in a clinical setting, highlighting its potential for broader immunosuppressive applications.
05 Feb 2025Submitted to Allergy
07 Feb 2025Submission Checks Completed
07 Feb 2025Assigned to Editor
07 Feb 2025Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Feb 2025Reviewer(s) Assigned