1. Dermatology Service, Department of Medicine, Denver Health Medical Center, and the Departments of Dermatology and Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
2. ^*Arthritis/Immunology Section, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Correspondence: Dr Lela A. Lee, Dermatology Box B-153 University of Colorado School of Medicine, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, CO 80262. E-mail: Lela.Lee@UCHSC.edu

Received 29 March 1999; Accepted 12 May 1999.

Abstract

Ultraviolet radiation plays an important role in the induction of lesions in many patients with cutaneous lupus. In the photosensitive subset of lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus, the effects of ultraviolet radiation likely act in concert with specific autoantibodies, particularly anti-Ro-related autoantibodies, to produce lesions. Potential effects of ultraviolet radiation on the induction of cutaneous lupus, and the potential interplay of specific autoantibodies with ultraviolet radiation are discussed. The steps involved in the induction of cutaneous lupus lesions by ultraviolet radiation have not been fully elucidated. Recent advances in phototesting and analysis of the genetics of lupus should clarify the events leading to photosensitive cutaneous lupus lesions.