Fas ligand and Bax gene transcription contributes to Ro60 ribonucleoprotein redistribution in UV-A irradiated human keratinocytes.

OBJECTIVES

Ro ribonucleoproteins are of particular interest because they are serologic markers of photosensitive variants of lupus such as the subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), in which the polycyclic skin lesions are triggered by exposure to the sun. We study the role of apoptosis in the expression of Ro antigen.

METHODS

We used UV-A irradiated keratinocytes.

RESULTS

We demonstrate in cultured human UVA-irradiated keratinocytes that the enhanced expression of Ro60 ribonucleoprotein is caused by antigenic redistribution consecutive to Fas-L and Bax gene activation.