Effect of immunosuppressants tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil on the keratinocyte UVB response.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer, derived from epidermal keratinocytes, is the most common malignancy in organ transplant recipients, causes serious morbidity and mortality, and is strongly associated with solar ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Preventing and treating skin cancer in these individuals has been extraordinarily challenging. Following organ transplantation, the immunosuppressants are used to prevent graft rejection. Until now, immunosuppression has been assumed to be the major factor leading to skin cancer in this setting. However, the mechanism of skin carcinogenesis in organ transplant recipients has not been understood to date; specifically, it remains unknown whether these cancers are immunosuppression-dependent or -independent. In particular, it remains poorly understood what is the mechanistic carcinogenic action of the newer generation of immunosuppressants including tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Here, we show that tacrolimus and MMF impairs UVB-induced DNA damage repair and apoptosis in human epidermal keratinocytes. In addition, tacrolimus inhibits UVB-induced checkpoint signaling. However, MMF had no effect. Our findings have demonstrated that tacrolimus and MMF compromises proper UVB response in keratinocytes, suggesting an immunosuppression-independent mechanism in the tumor-promoting action of these immunosuppressants.