UV-B-Induced Erythema in Human Skin: The Circadian Clock Is Ticking

J Invest Dermatol. 2018 Feb;138(2):248-251. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.09.002.

Abstract

Acute exposure of skin to UV-B causes DNA damage and sunburn erythema in both mice and humans. Previous studies documented time-of-day-related differences in sunburn responses after UV-B exposure in mice. Because humans are diurnal and mice are nocturnal, the circadian rhythm in human skin was hypothesized to be in opposite phase to the rhythm in mice. A study by Nikkola et al. demonstrates that humans are more prone to sunburn erythema after evening exposure to solar UV-B radiation as compared with morning exposure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Circadian Clocks
  • Erythema
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Skin
  • Sunburn*
  • Ultraviolet Rays