TY - JOUR
T1 - Expression of cytokines and chemokine receptors in the cutaneous lesions of erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis
AU - Caproni, M.
AU - Torchia, D.
AU - Schincaglia, E.
AU - Volpi, W.
AU - Frezzolini, A.
AU - Schena, D.
AU - Marzano, A.
AU - Quaglino, P.
AU - De Simone, C.
AU - Parodi, A.
AU - Barletta, E.
AU - Fabbri, P.
PY - 2006/10
Y1 - 2006/10
N2 - Background: Erythema multiforme (EM) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) are caused by a dysregulation of cellular immunity. Objectives: To evaluate further the potential role of certain cytokines and chemokine receptors in cutaneous lesions of patients affected by EM and SJS/TEN and to establish whether such diseases are polarized preferentially towards a T-helper (Th) 1 or Th2 pattern. Methods: Biopsy specimens from eight patients with EM, six with SJS/TEN and three healthy controls were stained for immunohistochemical examination using the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase method. The monoclonal antibodies used included those to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-α, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-5, IL-13, receptor 3 for C-C chemokines (CCR3), receptor 3 for C-x-C chemokines (CXCR3) and CXCR4. Results: The SJS/TEN specimens showed significantly higher expression of all the cytokines and chemokine receptors (except CXCR3) tested than the EM specimens. Both lesional series showed significantly higher expression of all the receptors tested than the healthy control specimens, with the sole exception of a lower expression of CCR3 in EM specimens. Comparison between molecules associated with a Th1 or Th2 response revealed a predominance of Th1 response in EM and no significant imbalance between Th1 and Th2 in SJS/TEN. Conclusions: We have provided further evidence that TNF-α is strongly expressed in SJS/TEN lesions and therefore it may be involved in the epidermal necrosis featured in such diseases. IFN-α may play an important role both in EM and SJS/TEN. IL-2, IL-5 and IL-13 may contribute to the cutaneous immunoinflammation in these diseases. Chemokine receptors may be involved strongly in the recruitment of inflammatory cells in lesional skin. In our cases we found a sharp polarization towards a Th1 pattern in EM, while the SJS/TEN lesions showed a mixed Th1/Th2 pattern.
AB - Background: Erythema multiforme (EM) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) are caused by a dysregulation of cellular immunity. Objectives: To evaluate further the potential role of certain cytokines and chemokine receptors in cutaneous lesions of patients affected by EM and SJS/TEN and to establish whether such diseases are polarized preferentially towards a T-helper (Th) 1 or Th2 pattern. Methods: Biopsy specimens from eight patients with EM, six with SJS/TEN and three healthy controls were stained for immunohistochemical examination using the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase method. The monoclonal antibodies used included those to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-α, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-5, IL-13, receptor 3 for C-C chemokines (CCR3), receptor 3 for C-x-C chemokines (CXCR3) and CXCR4. Results: The SJS/TEN specimens showed significantly higher expression of all the cytokines and chemokine receptors (except CXCR3) tested than the EM specimens. Both lesional series showed significantly higher expression of all the receptors tested than the healthy control specimens, with the sole exception of a lower expression of CCR3 in EM specimens. Comparison between molecules associated with a Th1 or Th2 response revealed a predominance of Th1 response in EM and no significant imbalance between Th1 and Th2 in SJS/TEN. Conclusions: We have provided further evidence that TNF-α is strongly expressed in SJS/TEN lesions and therefore it may be involved in the epidermal necrosis featured in such diseases. IFN-α may play an important role both in EM and SJS/TEN. IL-2, IL-5 and IL-13 may contribute to the cutaneous immunoinflammation in these diseases. Chemokine receptors may be involved strongly in the recruitment of inflammatory cells in lesional skin. In our cases we found a sharp polarization towards a Th1 pattern in EM, while the SJS/TEN lesions showed a mixed Th1/Th2 pattern.
KW - Chemokine receptors
KW - Cytokines
KW - Erythema multiforme
KW - Stevens-Johnson syndrome
KW - T-helper polarization
KW - Toxic epidermal necrolysis
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07398.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07398.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 16965421
AN - SCOPUS:33748451121
VL - 155
SP - 722
EP - 728
JO - British Journal of Dermatology
JF - British Journal of Dermatology
SN - 0007-0963
IS - 4
ER -