Activation of GILZ gene by photoactivated 8-methoxypsoralen: potential role of immunoregulatory dendritic cells in extracorporeal photochemotherapy.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) is a widely used method for either immunization against cutaneous T cell lymphoma or immunosuppression of graft-versus-host disease and organ transplant rejection (OTR). Leukapheresed blood is routed through a chamber, in which 8-methoxypsoralen is activated by ultraviolet energy (PUVA), thereby causing DNA crosslinks in processed leukocytes. Return of ECP-processed mononuclear leukocytes to the patient then modulates aberrant T cell immunity.