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Contributed by Hector F. DeLuca, June 15, 2017 (sent for review March 22, 2017; reviewed by Margharita Contorna, Michael F. Holick, and Rajiv Kumar)
Significance
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that is difficult to manage and for which there is no cure. We have discovered that certain specific sunblock preparations can prevent the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a widely used animal model of MS. Salate esters in the sunblock preparations were found to be responsible for preventing EAE. Continued exploration of this finding may lead to new approaches to the management of symptoms of MS.
Abstract
UV light suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a widely used animal model of MS, in mice and may be responsible for the decreased incidence of MS in equatorial regions. To test this concept further, we applied commercially available sunblock preparations to mice before exposing them to UV radiation. Surprisingly, some of the sunblock preparations blocked EAE without UV radiation. Furthermore, various sunblock preparations had variable ability to suppress EAE. By examining the components of the most effective agents, we identified homosalate and octisalate as the components responsible for suppressing EAE. Thus, salates may be useful in stopping the progression of MS, and may provide new insight into mechanisms of controlling autoimmune disease.
Footnotes
- ↵1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: deluca{at}biochem.wisc.edu.
Author contributions: Y.W., S.J.M., L.A.P., and H.F.D. performed research; and Y.W. and H.F.D. wrote the paper.
Reviewers: M.C., The Pennsylvania State University; M.F.H., Boston University; and R.K., Mayo Clinic.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Salate derivatives in sunscreens block EAE in mice
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