Abstract

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP)A gene-deficient mice display dermatologic abnormalities similar to human XP, such as enhanced ultraviolet (UV)-induced acute inflammation and high incidence of UVB-induced skin cancer. We have previously reported that UVB-induced immunosuppression of contact hypersensitivity was greatly enhanced in XPA mice. In the present study, we examined the effects of UVB radiation on tumor rejection in XPA mice. Tumor cells established from UVB-induced squamous cell carcinoma in XPA mice were injected subcutaneously. No difference in the development of tumors was observed between the non-irradiated XPA and wild-type mice. Tumors developed, grew in size, and reached the maximum at 7-10 d after the inoculation. Thereafter, all tumors decreased in size and were completely rejected by 4 wk in both strains of mice. When tumor cells were inoculated into the skin that had been irradiated with 50-150 mJ per cm2 of UVB, tumor grew in 60% (12 of 20) of the XPA mice, but only in 4% (one of 23) of wild-type mice. Phenotyping of tumor-infiltrating cells revealed that the migration of natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells was inhibited in UVB-irradiated XPA mice. These data suggest that enhanced UVB-induced impairment of tumor rejection could be partially involved in the cancer development of XP patients.