AbstractThe G‐protein‐coupled receptor, Mc1r, plays a major role in pigment production and has been reported to be important in the inflammatory response. We have investigated the effect of deficiency in Mc1r on UV‐induced inflammation. Mice on the same genetic background were used – C57BL/6‐c (albino), C57BL/6 (black), C57BL/6‐Mc1re/e deficient (yellow). FACS analysis of disaggregated skin showed a similar dose‐dependent increase in Ly6G+ and CD11b+ cells in response to UV radiation in all groups. No differences in UV‐induced edema or in DNA damage were detected between groups. The contact hypersensitivity response, neonatal immune tolerance and UV immunosuppression were all similar in C57BL/6 and C57BL/6‐Mc1re/e mice. We conclude that the absence of Mc1r does not impair the inflammatory response to UV radiation or the generation of immunosuppression.