Wavelength-specific effects on UVB-induced apoptosis in melanocytes. A study of Bcl-2/Bax expression and keratinocyte rescue effects.

Apoptosis and alterations in Bcl-2 and Bax messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were examined in cultured human epidermal melanocytes following UVB irradiation (50 mJ/cm). The effects of various spectral ranges within UVB were investigated. A co-culture system was set up to study the interplay between melanocytes and keratinocytes in response to UVB. Melanocytes expressed high basal levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 compared with keratinocytes. Different wavelengths within the UVB spectrum induced diverse response patterns of Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA and had different apoptotic power. Both Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA were upregulated to preserve protein levels and only a slight increase in apoptosis was noted 24 h after UVB (lambda>305 nm). Increasing UVB between 280 and 305 nm enhanced apoptosis and upregulated Bcl-2, whilst Bax mRNA was unaltered. However, no change in protein levels was detected. A redistribution of Bax protein from different compartments within the cell may be more important than direct upregulation for the acceleration of apoptosis, but it cannot be excluded that other apoptotic pathways may be induced by shorter UVB wavelengths. The increase in apoptosis was significantly lower in melanocytes co-cultured with irradiated matched keratinocytes than in melanocytes from pure cultures, indicating that melanocytes are protected from UVB-induced apoptosis by the release of substance(s) from keratinocytes. This rescue response concurred with a fast and significant increase in Bcl-2 mRNA level in melanocytes.