A 308 nm monochromatic excimer light (MEL) is widely used to treat patients with vitiligo. However, dose optimization still needs to be clarified. This study aimed to obtain objective evidence regarding various doses of MEL irradiation, induced cell level changes in vitro, and skin level alterations in vivo. Cultured human keratinocytes were irradiated with MEL using various doses. After irradiation at low doses, stem cell factor, endothelin-1, and glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B, factors that activate and protect melanocytes, were found to be significantly elevated in keratinocytes. After irradiation using medium and high doses, inflammatory cytokines were induced. The amount of ATP released and the level of inflammasome activation, which are known to be related to interleukin-1β activation, were also increased. The back skin of guinea pigs and mice were irradiated with MEL at varying doses. After irradiation, an increase of epidermal melanin and epidermal melanocytes was confirmed, using the minimal erythemal dose or less. In rhododendrol-induced leukoderma guinea pigs, a much lower dose of MEL irradiation was effective, when compared with the effective dose for control guinea pigs. Our results suggest that a lower irradiation dose of MEL might be sufficient and more suitable for repigmentation in vitiligo treatment.
Keywords: excimer light; inflammasome; keratinocyte; pigmentation; ultraviolet.