Exposure of mice to UV-B radiation suppresses delayed hypersensitivity to Candida albicans.

Groups of mice were exposed to a single dose of UV radiation before or after immunization with Candida albicans. The delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was markedly depressed in all UV-irradiated groups. Exposure of mice to UV radiation before sensitization induced splenic suppressor cells that, upon transfer to normal recipients, impaired the induction of DTH to Candida. In contrast, exposure of mice to UV radiation after sensitization interfered with elicitation of the DTH response, but this suppression was not transferable. These studies demonstrate that immunity to Candida albicans in mice is impaired by exposure to UV radiation and that two separate mechanisms may be involved.