Interleukin-8 Content in the Stratum Corneum as an Indicator of the Severity of Inflammation in the Lesions of Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by both acute and chronic eczema. Various markers are used to clinically evaluate the severity of AD. In order to identify a marker of local severity of AD, we measured IL-8, IL-18, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) levels in the stratum corneum (scIL-8, scIL-18, scVEGF and scTGF-α) and evaluated the correlation between the levels of these cytokines and the clinical severity scores of localized skin lesions. Methods: Stratum corneum samples were collected from the skin lesions of 50 patients with AD using the tape-stripping technique, and the scIL-8, scIL-18, scVEGF and scTGF-α levels were evaluated using the ELISA method. The trans-epidermal water loss and skin water content of the lesions were also measured prior to tape stripping. Results: The levels of scIL-8, scIL-18, scVEGF and scTGF-α were significantly higher in patients with AD than in healthy controls. Additionally, the levels of scIL-8, scIL-18 and scVEGF significantly correlated with the severity of AD. Conclusions: Among these cytokines, scIL-8 showed the highest correlation with the severity scores of lesions in AD as well as other parameters. Our results also suggest that measuring cytokines in the stratum corneum by using ELISA combined with tape stripping is a convenient method to evaluate the severity of skin lesions in AD.

Stratum Corneum Tape Stripping: Monitoring of Inflammatory Mediators in Atopic Dermatitis Patients Using Topical Therapy

“…Morita et al [41] showed a significant correlation between the SC levels of CCL17 and disease severity, Amarbayasgalan et al [42] showed that IL-8 was correlated with AD-severity. Szegedi et al [7] determined a wide range of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in dermal interstitial fluid collected from healthy subjects, and in the lesional and nonlesional skin of AD patients.…”

“…One of the limitations of the present study is that the SC samples of the control group were collected from the upper back. However, Amarbayasgalan et al [42] have shown no regional differences for various inflammatory mediators in healthy skin, including the back, neck, and arm. Furthermore, most of the investigated cytokines are produced upon inflammation due to AD and are not constitutively present in healthy skin.…”

Anti-inflammatory Actions of Herbal Formula Gyejibokryeong-Hwan Regulated by Inhibiting Chemokine Production and STAT1 Activation in HaCaT Cells

“…33) It has been reported that the chemokines MDC, RANTES, and IL-8 are responsible for the initiation of skin inflammation, including atopic dermatitis. [3][4][5][6] Consistent with the results of previous reports, our findings also showed that stimulation with TNF-α and IFN-γ markedly increased the production and mRNA expression of MDC, RANTES, and IL-8 in HaCaT cells. By contrast, GJBRH treatment reduced both the secretion and mRNA expression of these chemokines compared with the TNF-α and IFN-γ-treated control (Figs.…”

“…[4][5][6] These chemokines released from keratinocytes bind to and attract CCR4-positive Th2 cells into inflammatory tissues. 6) Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) is a transcription factor protein family activated by Janus kinase (JAK) and is involved in various cellular processes, including growth, survival, proliferation, and differentiation.…”

Efficacy of a New Tonic Containing Urea, Lactate, Polidocanol, and <b><i>Glycyrrhiza inflata</i></b> Root Extract in the Treatment of a Dry, Itchy, and Subclinically Inflamed Scalp

“…High levels of IL-8 have been associated with active inflammatory processes [40] and increased IL-8 levels could be linked to inflammatory scalp diseases, such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis [41]. Also, in patients with atopic dermatitis, SC IL-8 levels in lesions were significantly higher than in healthy controls [42]. Xerotic scalp conditions can lead to scratching-induced superficial wounds.…”