Induction of Ro/SSA antigen expression on keratinocyte cell membrane by heat shock and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate as well as estradiol and ultraviolet B

• Published in: Journal of dermatological science 2000-11, Vol.24 (2), p.92-98
• Main Authors: Zhang, Jianzhong, Xu, Zigang, Jin, Jiang, Zhu, Tiejun, Ma, Shengqing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autoantigens - metabolism; Cell Membrane - immunology; Cells, Cultured; Estradiol - pharmacology; Heat shock; Hot Temperature; Humans; Keratinocytes - drug effects; Keratinocytes - immunology; Keratinocytes - radiation effects; Phorbol ester; Ribonucleoproteins - metabolism; RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; Ro/SSA; Shock - immunology; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate - pharmacology; Ultraviolet B; Ultraviolet Rays
• ISSN: 0923-1811; 1873-569X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0923-1811(00)00079-7

Skin is one of the main target organs in lupus erythematosus and in some circumstances, skin lesions precede systemic manifestations. Previous studies have demonstrated that Ro/SSA antigen antibody might be involved in the pathogenesis of lupus erythematosus. The present study was performed to investigate the factors regulating expression of Ro/SSA antigens on the cell surface of keratinocytes. Cultured normal human keratinocytes were treated with 50–200 mJ/cm 2 of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation, 10 −9 to 10 −5 mol/l of 17β-estradiol, 5–10 μg/l of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and 42 and 45°C heat shock, respectively. The Ro/SSA antigen expressions were determined by indirect immunofluorescence. The results showed that keratinocytes receiving UVB irradiation expressed Ro/SSA antigen on cell membranes in a dose-dependent fashion. 17β-estradiol treatment also induced Ro/SSA antigen expression dose-dependently. Keratinocyte expression of Ro/SSA antigens was also induced by heat shock stimulation. The 45°C heat shock showed a stronger effect than 42°C heat shock. Keratinocytes incubated for 24 h after heat shock had more antigen-expressing cells than those incubated for 6 h after heat shock. PMA at 5 and 10 μg/l also strongly induced Ro/SSA antigen expression. These results suggest that Ro/SSA antigen expression can be regulated by many factors and that protein kinase C signal transduction pathway might be involved in this process.