THE EFFECT OF PHOTOCHEMOTHERAPY WITH 4,4',6 TRIMETHYLANGELICIN ON MURINE CUTANEOUS IMMUNE CELLS

The effect of photochemotherapy with 4,4',6 trimethylangelicin (TMA), a new monofunctional furocoumarin with a high antiproliferative activity, was studied on murine dendritic epidermal cells. Female mice (C3H/HeN[MTV-]) were treated topically with the drug three times a week for 4 consecutive weeks followed each time by I J/cm2 of UVA radiation. At the end of the treatment almost total depletion of ATPase+, Ia+ and Thy-I+ dendritic epidermal cells was observed, associated with marked hyperpigmentation but no gross or microscopic phototoxicity. Although 4,4',6 TMA is not phototoxic in mice, it affects the cutaneous immune cells.