Modulation by neighboring cells of the responses and fate of melanoma cells irradiated with UVA

UVA radiation, which accounts for about 95% of the solar spectrum, contributes to and may be the etiological factor of skin cancers of which malignant melanoma is the most aggressive. UVA causes oxidative stress in various types of cells in the skin, keratinocyte, melanocytes, and fibroblasts, which is responsible for its cytotoxic effect. Here we used a transwell system to explore how the responses of melanoma cells to a low dose of UVA (20 kJ/m², ~ 10% of the minimal erythema dose) are influenced by neighboring co-cultured melanoma cells or fibroblasts. This dose had a low toxicity for melanoma cells, but after irradiation, co-culture with non-irradiated melanoma cells caused a strong decline in their viability and an increased frequency of apoptosis, whereas co-culture with fibroblast exerted a protective effect on irradiated melanoma cells. At the same time, the presence of non-irradiated cells, especially fibroblasts, decreased the level of UVA-induced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Interleukins efficiently produced by fibroblasts seem to be main players in these effects. Our studies reveal that coexistence of fibroblasts with melanoma cells may strongly modulate the direct action and may change bystander effects exerted by UVA light. Similar modulation of the effect of UVA on melanoma cells in vivo by bystander-like signaling from neighboring cells would have consequences for the development of malignant melanoma.