Fluorescent light decreases autoimmunity and improves immunity in B/W mice.

Fluorescent light emitted from cool white tubular fluorescent lamps covered with standard acrylic lids decreased autoimmunity and enhanced immunity in the New Zealand Black/New Zealand White F1 hybrid female (B/W) mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Thirty-three weeks of daily cool white fluorescent light exposure significantly decreased anti-ds DNA antibody levels and spleen size, and increased lymphocyte responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in B/W mice depilated to enhance light penetration. Depilation alone had no significant effect. The immunomodulatory potential of fluorescent light in B/W mice has not been previously appreciated, and may have important implications in SLE.