Alcohol consumption increases ultraviolet radiation induced immune dysfunction. (HUM2P.341)

Abstract

Abstract Alcohol ingestion and sun exposure often occur simultaneously. Excessive ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is associated with increased incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). More recently, epidemiologic studies have revealed an independent correlation between alcohol use and increased incidence of NMSC. Although multiple factors have been proposed to explain these interactions, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this association have not been determined. Impaired tumor surveillance contributes to the development of skin cancer, and UVR can suppress immune function. Furthermore, the metabolism of alcohol can also suppress immune function. We therefore sought to determine whether UVR mediated immune dysfunction is affected by alcohol consumption. Specifically, we evaluated UVR induced immune suppression in the presence or absence of alcohol ingestion by combining standard mouse models of alcohol consumption and UVR induced immune suppression. In this controlled system, our results demonstrate that mice exposed to both ETOH and UV suffer greater immune suppression than those exposed to either alone. These results suggest that combining alcohol and UV exposure increases immune suppression, and support additional efforts to investigate the interactions between UVR and alcohol relevant to immunosuppression and the development of NMSC.