Cis-urocanic acid stereospecifically modulates human monocyte IL-1 production and surface HLA-DR antigen expression, T-cell IL-2 production and CD4/CD8 ratio.

UV irradiation is known to photoisomerize epidermal trans-urocanic acid (trans-UCA) to cis-urocanic acid (cis-UCA), which has been postulated to be involved in local and systemic downregulation of immune responses. We have earlier shown that cis-UCA suppresses interleukin 1 (IL-1) production in human epidermal cells. To study the possible effects of UCA isomers on human peripheral blood lymphoid cells, these cells were cultured in the presence of either UCA stereoisomer, and a number of immunological parameters were assayed. Cis-UCA (100 micrograms/ml) caused a significant downregulation of monocyte IL-1 production, and diminished monocyte HLA-DR expression. Cis-UCA also caused a significant reduction in the CD4/CD8 ratio. Furthermore, T-cells preincubated with cis-UCA caused a significant downregulation of purified protein derivative-induced interleukin 2 production by autologous T-cells. The trans isomer had no effect in any of these in vitro tests. The reported stereospecific effects of cis-UCA are compatible with the postulated function of this chemical as an UV-induced, low-molecular-weight immunomediator substance.