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.