UVA Treatment Research Articles

Postharvest UV-A and UV-B treatments may cause a transient decrease in grape berry skin flavonol-glycoside contents and total antioxidant capacities

Controlled postharvest abiotic stresses have already been shown to affect the secondary metabolism of fresh produce. We applied broad band ultraviolet (either 312 nm centred UV-B or 355 nm centred UV-A) radiation on harvested berry clusters of the red table grape Emperor, and measured berry skin antioxidant capacities and phenolic profiles 2, 24 and 48 h after these treatments. There was no significant change in the amount of caftaric acid, the dominant phenolic acid component featuring higher UV-B than UV-A absorbing capacity. On the other hand, but both types of UV treatment decreased the amounts of the two major quercetin-glycosides 2 h after irradiation. This effect was temporal, and concentration recovered during berry storage at 20 °C under low intensity light. Berry skin UV-A and UV-B absorbing capacities showed the same, transitional decrease regardless of the wavelength of the irradiation. In the whole data set, antioxidant capacities and quercetin-glycoside content data showed strong and positive correlations. Berry skin peroxidase activity, as visualized with diaminobenzidine-staining showed a transitional increase after 2 h in response to both UV treatments. These data suggest that the observed UV-induced postharvest changes in phenolic metabolites are related to the oxidation of flavonols as peroxidase substrates rather than to direct UV photo-effects.

Evaluation of Low-Dose, Low-Frequency Oral Psoralen–UV-A Treatment With or Without Maintenance on Early-Stage Mycosis Fungoides

Psoralen-UV-A (PUVA) photochemotherapy is standard first-line treatment for skin-limited, early-stage mycosis fungoides capable of producing high initial complete response (CR) rates. However, much remains unknown about PUVA's therapeutic mechanisms, optimal duration and frequency of treatment, dose escalation, or use as maintenance therapy. To evaluate low-dose, low-frequency PUVA, and whether maintenance treatment extends disease-free remission in patients with mycosis fungoides. This prospective randomized clinical trial with defined PUVA dosing regimen was carried out in 5 centers (Graz, Vienna, Hietzing, Innsbruck, and Salzburg) across Austria. Patients with stage IA to IIA mycosis fungoides (n = 27) were enrolled in the study beginning March 13, 2013, with the last patient enrolled March 21, 2016. These patients were treated with oral 8-methoxypsoralen followed by UV-A exposure 2 times per week for 12 to 24 weeks until CR. Patients with CR were randomized to PUVA maintenance for 9 months (14 total exposures) or no maintenance. The study was conducted from April 27, 2012, to July 27, 2018. Data analysis of the primary end point was of the intention-to-treat population, and the secondary end point analysis was of the evaluable population. Efficacy of the PUVA regimen was determined by the rate of CR as defined by a modified severity-weighted assessment tool (mSWAT) score reduction to 0. Levels of proinflammatory molecules in serum and histologic features and percentage of clonal T cells in skin were assessed to search for biomarkers of clinical response. In 27 patients with mycosis fungoides, 19 (70%) were male with mean (range) age 61 (30-80) years. At baseline, patients with CR had a mean (range) mSWAT score of 18.6 (1-66) compared with 16.8 (3-46) in patients with partial response. The 12- to 24-week PUVA induction regimen reduced the mSWAT score in all patients and led to CR in 19 (70%) of 27 patients and a low mean cumulative UV-A dose of 78.5 J/cm2. The subsequent standardized 9-month PUVA maintenance phase prolonged median (range) disease-free remission from 4 (1-20) months to 15 (1-54) months (P = .02). High density of histologic infiltrate and high percentage of clonal TCR sequences in skin biopsy specimens at baseline were inversely associated with therapeutic response. No severe adverse effects were seen during the PUVA induction or maintenance phase. This proof-of-concept study identifies potential biomarkers for therapeutic response to PUVA in mycosis fungoides; it also demonstrates that low-dose, low-frequency PUVA appears to be highly effective, and maintenance treatment may extend disease-free remission. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01686594.

Photostability of bacteriochlorophyll „a“ and bacteriopheophytin „a“ against UV-A, UV-B and visible light treatments in methanol solutions

Bacteriochlorins as the porphyrins derivatives are well known photosensitizers with great potential for use in various fields of pharmacy and medicine. Photostability of selected bacteriochlorins, bacteriochlorophyll a and bacteriopheophytin a, in different methanol solutions (with and without lipids) during continual UV-A, UV-B and visible light treatments were studied using absorption UV-VIS spectroscopy providing kinetic analysis. Applied irradiation treatments resulted in irreversible degradation of both selected bacteriochlorins obeying the first order of kinetics. Bacteriopheophytin a showed significantly higher photostability in comparison to bacteriochlorophyll a for all applied irradiation treatments, for about one to three orders of magnitude. Photochemical degradation of bacteriochlorins is energy dependant process, governed by photons energy input.Lipid environment play stability role for both bacteriochlorins against all, UV-A, UV-B and visible light treatments. Bacteriopheophytin a induced lipid peroxidation processduring UV-A irradiation treatment.

Osteoblast Response to Different UVA‐Activated Anatase Implant Coatings

AbstractThe “activation” of titanium implants by UV‐irradiation is reported to enhance osseointegration in vitro as well as in vivo. Anatase‐enriched titanium oxide surfaces enable, via photocatalysis, a chairside “activation” of implants by short‐term UVA (382 nm) irradiation. The potentially improved clinical performance of these modified surfaces depends not only on the achieved photocatalytic activity, but also on the effects caused by the micro‐ and nanostructure of the respective surface modification. In this study, three differently manufactured anatase‐coated titanium surfaces are characterized regarding surface characteristics, photocatalytic efficiency, and their ability to promote proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in comparison to conventional sandblasted (S) and blasted/etched (S/A) titanium implant surfaces. Anatase surfaces are manufactured by suspension plasma spraying (SPS), precursor‐based liquid film coating (PLC), and physical vapor deposition (PVD). The tested surfaces exhibit significantly different surface morphologies and anatase/rutile ratios. UVA‐irradiation of samples prior to cell seeding leads to significantly improved cell proliferation and surface coverage. UVA‐treatment also leads to a generally enhanced osteoblastic differentiation of cells on all anatase‐coated surfaces. The anatase‐enriched titanium surface modifications promote different aspects of osteoblast reactions, suggesting that the “activation” of anatase‐coated titanium implants by UVA treatment is a promising chairside procedure for dental implant optimization.

Photosynthetic response and DNA mutation of tropical, temperate and polar Chlorella under short-term UVR stress

Changes in photosynthetic efficiency of Photosystem II can be used as an early stress indicator in phototrophs. In this study, chlorophyll fluorescence, measured by a Pulse-Amplitude Modulated Fluorometer (PAM), was used to determine the photosynthetic performance of tropical, temperate, Antarctic and Arctic Chlorella in response to short-term acute ultraviolet radiation (UVR) stress, with measurements of maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), photosynthetic efficiency (α), maximum electron transport rate (rETRm) and photoadaptive index (Ek). Three light treatments were conducted over a continuous, five-hour duration: (i) control subjected only to photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), (ii) PAR + UVA (UVA) and (iii) PAR + UVA + UVB (UVR). Tropical Chlorella showed better adaptive ability to UVA stress compared to strains from temperate and polar regions. UVB stress caused significant photosynthetic dysfunction in all samples, with polar strains showing a lower inhibition (about 40%) compared to the tropical strain (about 98%). Photosynthetic responses in Chlorella towards UVR are possibly origin dependent. DNA mutation induced by both UVA and UVR treatments was revealed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Out of sixty RAPD primers tested, two primers: S33 (polymorphism degree 44.83%) and S90 (polymorphism degree 38.71%) were chosen as potential primers to conduct genomic study of UV stress in microalgae.

Alpha pinene modulates UVA-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in human skin epidermal keratinocytes

AimsThis study aims to evaluate the protective effect of alpha pinene (AP), an essential oil monoterpene, against ultraviolet-A (UVA; 320–400 nm) induced cellular damages in human skin epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Materials and methodsIn this study, HaCaT cells were subjected to single UVA-irradiation (10 J/cm2) in the presence and absence of AP (30 μM) then different cellular end points were analyzed. The protective effect of AP against UVA-induced cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT-based metabolic assay. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA single- and double strand breaks (SSBs and DSBs) and apoptotic morphological changes during different treatment conditions were measured by fluorescence microscopy and spectrofluorometry. Modulatory role of AP against UVA-mediated inflammatory markers expression, nucleotide excision repair (NER) proteins and apoptotic markers expression during AP and/or UVA treatment were studied by western blot. Key findingsPretreatment with AP prevented UVA-induced cytotoxicity, generation of ROS, lipid peroxidation and DNA stand breaks probably through its antioxidant property. AP also inhibited UVA-induced inflammatory mediators such as NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 expression in HaCaT cells. Further, AP modulates NER proteins via activation of p53 and p21 thereby subsequently prevent the formation of UVA-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). We also noticed that AP inhibits apoptotic cell death by preventing UVA-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential through modulating Bax/Bcl-2 expression in HaCaT cells. SignificanceThe present findings suggest that AP prevent UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damages and apoptosis in human skin cells.

The effect of supplementary ultraviolet wavelengths on broiler chicken welfare indicators

Qualities of the light environment are important for good welfare in a number of species. In chickens, UVA light is visible and may facilitate flock interactions. UVB wavelengths promote endogenous vitamin D synthesis, which could support the rapid skeletal development of broiler chickens. The aim of the study was to investigate the impacts of Ultraviolet wavelengths (UV) on welfare indicators in broiler chickens.Day-old Ross 308 birds reared under commercially representative conditions were randomly assigned to one of three lighting treatments: A) White Light Emitting Diode (LED) and supplementary UVA LED lighting (18-hour photoperiod); B) White LED with supplementary UVA and UVB fluorescent lighting providing 30 micro watts/cm2 UVB at bird level (on for 8 h of the total photoperiod to avoid over-exposure of UVB); C) White LED control group, representative of farm conditions (18-hour photoperiod).Welfare indicators measured were; feather condition (day 24, n = 546), tonic immobility duration (day 29, n = 302), and gait quality, using the Bristol Gait Score (day 31, n = 293). Feather condition was improved in male broilers in the UVA treatment (A), compared to the control treatment (C). Birds in the UVA treatment had shorter tonic immobility durations compared to the control treatment (C), suggesting lower fearfulness. Broilers reared in UVA (A) and UVA + UVB (B) had better Bristol Gait Scores compared to the control (C).Together these results suggest UV may be beneficial for broiler chicken welfare. While treatment A and B both provided UVA, the improvements in welfare indicators were not consistent, which may be due to exposure time-dependent beneficial effects of UVA.The modification of commercial lighting regimes to incorporate UVA wavelengths for indoor-reared broiler chickens would be an achievable change with significant positive impacts on bird welfare.

Photochemical Treatment of Drosophila APCs Can Eliminate Associated Viruses and Maintain the APC Function for Generating Antigen-Specific CTLs Ex Vivo.

Drosophila cells transfected with MHC class I and a number of costimulation molecules including B7.1, ICAM, LFA-3, and CD70 are potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for the generation of antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) in vitro. Using Drosophila APCs, CTLs specific for melanoma antigens have been generated in vitro and adoptively transferred to melanoma patients. However, the recent discovery that Drosophila cells can carry insect viruses raises the potential risk of Drosophila APCs transmitting xenogenic viruses to patient CTLs. In this study, we have investigated photoreactive methods to inactivate insect viruses in APC. A clinical grade psoralen compound, 8-MOP (UVADEX) in combination with UVA treatment (5 joules/cm2) can be used to inactivate Drosophila cell viruses. UVADEX treatment is sufficient to inactivate insect viruses but does not affect the expression of MHC class I molecules and costimulation molecules on Drosophila APCs. In fact, UVADEX treatment prevents Drosophila APC growth while maintaining APC function. Furthermore, UVADEX-treated Drosophila APCs maintain or have enhanced APC function as determined by enhanced T cell activation, proliferation, and CTL generation. Thus, the use of UVADEX-treated Drosophila APCs may provide a valuable tool for immunotherapy to generate tumor antigen-specific CTLs.

External spermine prevents UVA-induced damage of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 via increased catalase activity and decreased H2O2 and malonaldehyde levels

Common polyamines, putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm), are cationic compounds known as beneficial factors for many cellular processes including cell division, proliferation, differentiation, and stress response in all living organisms. Effects of exogenous Spm on the protective responses of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 exposed to UVA were investigated. The presence of 0.5 mM Spm in the culture medium significantly reduced cell growth after 60 min under white light condition but protected the cells after growing for 60 min under UVA. The stress-tolerant response of Synechocystis cells represented by the ratio of putrescine/spermidine (Put/Spd) showed about a 6-fold increase after 60 min UVA in the presence of Spm. In addition, those levels of chlorophyll a, carotenoids, and photosynthetic oxygen evolution were increased by Spm supplementation in UVA-treated cells. Exogenous Spm induced the activity of catalase but not superoxide dismutase in cells under UVA treatment. On the other hand, Spm treatment enabled cells to apparently decrease the intracellular free radical H2O2 and malonaldehyde (MDA) levels. Overall results suggested that Spm supplementation could protect Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells via the increase of Put/Spd ratio and the reduction of both H2O2 and MDA levels in conjunction with the induction of catalase activity. Interestingly, UVA-treated cells as compared to non-treated cells with exogenous Spm showed a decrease of Spm with an increase of Put and no change in Spd. This suggested the back conversion of Spm to Spd and finally to Put as cellular mechanism in response to UVA.

Growth of dropwort plants and their accumulation of bioactive compounds after exposure to UV lamp or LED irradiation

High-energy ultraviolet (UV) light is an environmental stress that can be used to stimulate the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in plants. This study aimed to comparatively determine the effects of UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C lamps or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the growth of dropwort (Oenanthe stolonifera) plants, and their contents of bioactive compounds. Dropwort seedlings with 2–3 offshoots were transplanted in a plant factory equipped with white LED and deep flow technique systems, and cultivated under standard growth conditions for 36 days. Thereafter, the dropwort plants were supplementally exposed to one of five UV treatments with energy equivalent to 10 W m−2: UV-C lamps for 2 days, UV-B lamps for 3 days, and UV-A lamps and LEDs with 370 nm or 385 nm peak wavelengths for 14 days. The variable fluorescence (Fv) to maximum fluorescence (Fm) ratio (Fv/Fm) of dropwort leaves began to significantly decrease 3 h after exposure to UV-C, and 6 h after UV-B exposure. Fluorescence in UV-C and UV-B-treated plants was lower than in control and UV-A-treated plants during the entire period of UV irradiation. The fresh weight of the shoots of plants treated with UV was not significantly different to those of the control plants during the entire UV irradiation period. The total phenolic content of dropwort shoots exposed to UV-A and UV-B treatments significantly increased compared to that of the control 1 day after treatment. The total phenolic content was highest in plants treated with the 370 nm UV-A LED, and this was significantly higher (33%) than the control. Plants treated with the 385 nm UV-A LED on day 3 of treatment had the highest total phenolic content compared to the other treatments. A similar trend was observed in contents of flavonoids and persicarin. UV light induced higher anthocyanin content than the control. The activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase after UV treatments was significantly higher than the control, supporting the findings of our bioactive compound assays. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that irradiating vegetables with UV-A LEDs would be useful in plant factories with artificial light for improving vegetable quality without inhibiting growth.

Escherichia coli tolerance of ultraviolet radiation by in vivo expression of a short peptide designed from late embryogenesis abundant protein

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes damage in all living organisms, including DNA damage that leads to cell death. Herein, we provide a new technique for UV radiation protection through intracellular short peptide expression. The late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) peptide, which functions as a shield that protects macromolecules from various abiotic stress, was obtained from the Polypedilum vanderplanki group 3 LEA protein. Recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) expressing functional LEA short peptide in vivo were exposed to UVA and UVC radiation for 4, 6, and 8 h. E. coli transformants expressing the LEA peptide showed higher cell viability under both UVA and UVC treatment at all time points as compared with that of the control. Furthermore, the cells expressing LEA peptide showed a higher number of colony-forming units per dilution under UVA and UVC treatment. These results suggested that expression of the short peptide could be useful for the development of genetically modified organisms and in applications that require resilience of organisms to UV radiation.

Fog, phenolic acids and UV-A light irradiation: A new antimicrobial treatment for decontamination of fresh produce

This study evaluates synergistic interactions of food grade phenolic acids (gallic and ferulic acid) and UV-A light to achieve decontamination of fresh produce using a fog to improve dispersion of the phenolic acids on produce surface. Nonvirulent strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria innocua were used as model bacteria and spinach was selected as a model fresh produce. Synergistic combination of a fog deposited phenolic acid and a UV-A light treatment achieved reduction in bacterial plate count up to 2 log CFU/cm2 independently of the initial load of the bacteria (104 or 106 CFU/cm2). Following the treatment, fog deposited gallic and ferulic acid could be easily removed from the surface of produce by immersion in water and the treatment did not significantly alter the total endogenous phenolic content of spinach. The treatment also did not affect the texture, but impacted the color of the spinach leaves on a Hunter's Lab scale although the visual color changes were small. Overall, this technology may aid in developing alternative approaches for decontamination processes using food grade compounds.

Differential correlations between changes to glutathione redox state, protein ubiquitination, and stress-inducible HSPA chaperone expression after different types of oxidative stress.

In primary bovine fibroblasts with an hspa1b/luciferase transgene, we examined the intensity of heat-shock response (HSR) following four types of oxidative stress or heat stress (HS), and its putative relationship with changes to different cell parameters, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), the redox status of the key molecules glutathione (GSH), NADP(H) NAD(H), and the post-translational protein modifications carbonylation, S-glutathionylation, and ubiquitination. We determined the sub-lethal condition generating the maximal luciferase activity and inducible HSPA protein level for treatments with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), UVA-induced oxygen photo-activation, the superoxide-generating agent menadione (MN), and diamide (DA), an electrophilic and sulfhydryl reagent. The level of HSR induced by oxidative stress was the highest after DA and MN, followed by UVA and H2O2 treatments, and was not correlated to the level of ROS production nor to the extent of protein S-glutathionylation or carbonylation observed immediately after stress. We found a correlation following oxidative treatments between HSR and the level of GSH/GSSG immediately after stress, and the increase in protein ubiquitination during the recovery period. Conversely, HS treatment, which led to the highest HSR level, did not generate ROS nor modified or depended on GSH redox state. Furthermore, the level of protein ubiquitination was maximum immediately after HS and lower than after MN and DA treatments thereafter. In these cells, heat-induced HSR was therefore clearly different from oxidative stress-induced HSR, in which conversely early redox changes of the major cellular thiol predicted the level of HSR and polyubiquinated proteins.

Photodynamic therapy does not induce cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in the presence of melanin.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an office-based treatment for precancerous and early cancerous skin changes. PDT induces cell death through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) are the most important DNA changes responsible for ultraviolet (UV) carcinogenesis. Recently ROS induced by UVA were shown to generate CPDs via activating melanin. This raised the possibility that PDT induced ROS may also induce CPDs and mutagenesis in melanin containing cells. Previously the effect of PDT on CPDs in melanin containing cells has not been assessed. Our current work aimed to compare the generation of CPDs in melanin containing cells subjected to UVA treatment and porfimer sodium red light PDT. We used ELISA to detect CPDs. After UVA we found a dose dependent increase in CPDs in melanoma cells (B16-F10, MNT-1) with CPD levels peaking hours after discontinuation of UVA treatment. This indicated the generation of UVA induced dark-CPDs in the model. Nevertheless, PDT in biologically relevant doses was unable to induce CPDs. Our work provides evidence for the lack of CPD generation by PDT in melanin containing cells.

Sunlight-induced genotoxicity and damage in keratin structures decrease tadpole performance

The increased incidence of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, an environmental genotoxic agent, due to ozone depletion or deforestation may help to explain the enigmatic decline of amphibian populations in specific localities. In this work, we evaluated the importance of DNA repair performed by photolyases to maintain the performance of treefrog tadpoles after acute and chronic treatments with environmental-simulated doses of solar UVB and UVA radiation. Immediately after UV treatments, tadpoles were exposed to a visible light source to activate photolyases or kept in dark containers. The biological effects of UV treatments were evaluated through morphological, histological, locomotor and survival analyzes of Boana pulchella tadpoles (Anura: Hylidae). The results indicate that tadpole body weight suffered influence after both UVB and UVA treatments, although the body length was bit affected. The locomotor performance of UVB-exposed tadpoles was significantly reduced. In addition, UVB radiation induced a severe impact on tadpole skin, as well as on keratinized structures of mouth (tooth rows and jaw), indicating that these should be important effects of solar UV radiation in the reduction of tadpole performance. Furthermore, photolyases activation was fundamental for the maintenance of tadpole performance after chronic UVB exposures, but it was relatively inefficient after acute exposures to UVB, but not to UVA radiation. Therefore, this work demonstrates how the UV-induced genotoxicity and structural alterations in the skin and oral apparatus affect tadpole performance and survival.

Expression characterisation of cyclophilin BrROC1 during light treatment and abiotic stresses response in Brassica rapa subsp. rapa 'Tsuda'.

ROC1 is a prototypic peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) of the plant cytosol belonging to the large subfamily of cyclophilins that are associated with diverse functions through foldase, scaffolding, chaperoning or other unknown activities. Although many functions of plant cyclophilins have been reported, the molecular basis of stress-responsive expression of plant cyclophilins is still largely unknown. To characterise the roles of BrROC1 during light treatment and their responses in various abiotic stresses, we identified BrROC1 genes and characterised their expression patterns in Brassica rapa subsp. rapa 'Tsuda'. Our results showed that BrROC1 genes are multi-family genes. Transcript level analysis showed BrROC1-2 expressed higher than BrROC1-1 in 0 to 6-day-old seedlings under natural light. Moreover, BrROC1-2 genes were also induced to highly express in the cotyledon, upper hypocotyls and lower hypocotyls of seedlings under UV-A and blue-light treatment. In addition, the transcript level of BrROC1-1 was higher in pigment tissues than that in unpigment tissues (cotyledon and lower hypocotyl) under UV-A and blue-light treatment. Furthermore, when the unpigment epidermis (shaded light) of 2-month-old 'Tsuda' turnip roots was exposed to UV-A light, transcript levels of the BrROC1-1 and BrROC1-2 were significantly increased with time prolongation. These two BrROC1 genes might be involved in UV-A-induced anthocyanin synthesis in the root epidermis of 'Tsuda' turnip, which accumulates high levels of anthocyanin. These two BrROC1 genes were also induced to be regulated by abiotic stresses such as high or low temperature, dehydration, osmotic and salt stresses. Then, the results indicate that BrROC1 genes are involved in light induction response and may play important roles in adaptation of plants to various environmental stresses.

Repeated ultraviolet irradiation induces the expression of Toll-like receptor 4, IL-6, and IL-10 in neonatal human melanocytes.

Human melanocytes express Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which regulates ultraviolet (UV)-induced cutaneous immunosuppression in Langerhans cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation increases melanocyte pigmentation and TLR4 expression, while inducing local innate inflammatory responses. We investigated whether UV radiation induces TLR4 expression in neonatal human melanocytes (NHMs) and how this affects the immune system. We cultured NHMs with LPS treatment or with one-time or repeated UVA or UVB exposure, and investigated and compared the effects on TLR4 expression, melanin contents, and cytokine production. NHMs in the resting state did not express TLR4. LPS stimulation induced TLR4 expression and increased pigmentation. TLR4 expression was not detected after single-dose UVA or UVB treatment, but pigmentation increased. Repeated UV treatment induced TLR4 expression and increased pigmentation. LPS stimulation and repeated UV treatment increased IL-6 secretion, and repeated UVB treatment increased IL-10 secretion. These results suggest that human melanocytes may actively participate in UV-induced immune modulation.

Tolerance of the eriophyid mite Aceria salsolae to UV-A light and implications for biological control of Russian thistle.

Aceria salsolae (Acari: Eriophyidae) is being evaluated as a candidate biological control agent of Russian thistle (Salsola tragus, Chenopodiaceae), a major invasive weed of rangelands and dryland crops in the western USA. Prior laboratory host range testing under artificial lighting indicated reproduction on non-native Bassia hyssopifolia and on a native plant, Suaeda calceoliformis. However, in field tests in the native range, mite populations released on these 'nontarget' plants remained low. We hypothesized that UV-A light, which can affect behavior of tetranychid mites, would affect populations of the eriophyid A. salsolae differently on the target and nontarget plant species, decreasing the mite's realized host range. Plants were infested with A. salsolae under lamps that emitted UV-A, along with broad-spectrum lighting, and the size of mite populations and plant growth was compared to infested plants exposed only to broad-spectrum light. Russian thistle supported 3- to 55-fold larger mite populations than nontarget plants regardless of UV-A treatment. UV-A exposure did not affect mite populations on Russian thistle or S. calceoliformis, whereas it increased populations 7-fold on B. hyssopifolia. Main stems on nontarget plants grew 2- to 6-fold faster than did Russian thistle under either light treatment. The two nontarget plants attained greater volume under the control light regime than UV-A, but Russian thistle was unaffected. Although Russian thistle was always the superior host, addition of UV-A light to the artificial lighting regime did not reduce the ability of A. salsolae to reproduce on the two nontarget species, suggesting that UV-B or other environmental factors may be more important in limiting mite populations in the field.

Can narrow-bandwidth light from UV-A to green alter secondary plant metabolism and increase Brassica plant defenses against aphids?

Light of different wavelengths is essential for plant growth and development. Short-wavelength radiation such as UV can shift the composition of flavonoids, glucosinolates, and other plant metabolites responsible for enhanced defense against certain herbivorous insects. The intensity of light-induced, metabolite-based resistance is plant- and insect species-specific and depends on herbivore feeding guild and specialization. The increasing use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in horticultural plant production systems in protected environments enables the creation of tailor-made light scenarios for improved plant cultivation and induced defense against herbivorous insects. In this study, broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) plants were grown in a climate chamber under broad spectra photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) and were additionally treated with the following narrow-bandwidth light generated with LEDs: UV-A (365 nm), violet (420 nm), blue (470 nm), or green (515 nm). We determined the influence of narrow-bandwidth light on broccoli plant growth, secondary plant metabolism (flavonol glycosides and glucosinolates), and plant-mediated light effects on the performance and behavior of the specialized cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae. Green light increased plant height more than UV-A, violet, or blue LED treatments. Among flavonol glycosides, specific quercetin and kaempferol glycosides were increased under violet light. The concentration of 3-indolylmethyl glucosinolate in plants was increased by UV-A treatment. B. brassicae performance was not influenced by the different light qualities, but in host-choice tests, B. brassicae preferred previously blue-illuminated plants (but not UV-A-, violet-, or green-illuminated plants) over control plants.

Photofunctionalization of anodized titanium surfaces using UVA or UVC light and its effects against Streptococcus sanguinis.

UV light preirradiation of anodized titanium oxide layers has recently been shown to produce a photocatalytic effect that may reduce early bacterial attachment on titanium surfaces. Streptococcus species have been identified as primary early colonizers and contribute to early biofilm formation on dental implant surfaces. Anodized layers with primarily amorphous, primarily anatase, primarily rutile, and mixtures of anatase and rutile phase oxides were preirradiated with UVA or UVC light for 10 min. Nanoscale surface roughness and pre- and post-UV-irradiated wettability were measured for each anodization group. Sample groups were subjected to streptococcus sanguinis for a period of 24 h. Bacterial attachment and killing efficacy were measured and compared to the corresponding non-UV control groups. UVA treatments showed trends of at least a 20% reduction in bacterial attachment regardless of the crystallinity, or combination of oxide phases present. Anodized layers consisting of primarily anatase phase on the outermost surface were shown to have a killing efficacy of at least 50% after preirradiation with UVA light. Anodized layers containing disperse mixtures of anatase and rutile phases at the outermost surface showed at least a 50% killing efficacy after pre-irradiation with either UVA or UVC light. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2284-2294, 2018.