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Recent advances in urocanic acid photochemistry, photobiology and photoimmunology

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Abstract

Urocanic acid (UCA), produced in the upper layers of mammalian skin, is a major absorber of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Originally thought to be a ‘natural sunscreen’, studies conducted a quarter of a century ago proposed that UCA may be a chromophore for the immunosuppression that follows exposure to UVR. With its intriguing photochemistry, its role in immunosuppression and skin cancer development, and skin barrier function, UCA continues to be the subject of intense research effort. This review summarises the photochemical, photobiological and photoimmunological findings regarding UCA, published since 1998.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatological Sciences, University of Manchester Medical School, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK, M13 9PT

    Neil K. Gibbs & Joanne Tye

  2. Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, Scotland

    Mary Norval

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  1. Neil K. Gibbs
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  2. Joanne Tye
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Correspondence to Neil K. Gibbs.

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Gibbs, N.K., Tye, J. & Norval, M. Recent advances in urocanic acid photochemistry, photobiology and photoimmunology. Photochem Photobiol Sci 7, 655–667 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1039/b717398a

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