肺炎支原体肺炎患儿血清SP-D、Gal-3、CCL5水平与炎症因子和预后不良的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨肺炎支原体肺炎（MPP）患儿血清表面活性蛋白D（SP-D）、半乳糖凝集素-3（Gal-3）、C-C基序趋化因子配体5（CCL5）水平与炎症因子和预后不良的关系。方法：选取2020年1月～2021年1月我院收治的165例MPP患儿为MPP组,另选取54例健康儿童为对照组。采用ELISA法检测血清SP-D、Gal-3、CCL5、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、IL-8水平,放射免疫法检测血清肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平。采用Pearson/Spearman相关系数分析MPP患儿血清SP-D、Gal-3、CCL5水平与IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平的相关性。通过多因素Logistic回归分析MPP患儿预后不良的影响因素。采用接受者操作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清SP-D、Gal-3、CCL5水平对MPP患儿预后不良的预测价值。结果：与对照组比较,MPP组患儿的血清SP-D、Gal-3、CCL5以及IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平升高（P＜0.05）。MPP患儿的血清SP-D、Gal-3、CCL5水平与IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平均呈正相关（P＜0.05）。血清SP-D、Gal-3、CCL5、IL-6、TNF-α水平较高、病变类型为大片状阴影、热程较长是MPP患儿预后不良的危险因素（P＜0.05）。血清SP-D、Gal-3、CCL5三项联合预测MPP患儿预后不良的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.926,明显大于三项指标单独预测的0.842、0.794、0.771。结论：MPP患儿血清SP-D、Gal-3、CCL5水平升高,与炎症因子和预后不良密切相关,可作为MPP患儿预后不良的预测指标。     

支气管哮喘患儿血清硫化氢、嗜酸性粒细胞趋化因子水平与炎症因子及肺功能的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨支气管哮喘患儿血清硫化氢（H2S）、嗜酸性粒细胞趋化因子（Eotaxin）水平与炎症因子及肺功能的关系。方法：选取我院收治的95例支气管哮喘患儿,按照《儿童支气管哮喘诊断及防治指南(2016年版)》将支气管哮喘患儿分为急性发作期组43例和缓解期组52例。检测血清中H2S 水平;检测Eotaxin、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）,白介素6（IL-6）和白介素13（IL-13）的水平;对患儿进行肺功能测定,采用Pearson检验分析血清H₂S、Eotaxin水平与血清炎症因子及肺功能之间的相关性。ROC曲线分析血清H2S、Eotaxin对支气管哮喘患儿病情的预测价值。结果：急性发作期组患儿血清H₂S水平、第一秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分比（FEV₁%pred）、最大呼气流量占预计值百分比（PEF%pred）和FEV₁/用力肺活量（FVC）低于缓解期组患儿,Eotaxin、TNF-α、IL-6和IL-13水平高于缓解期组患儿（P<0.05）;支气管哮喘患儿血清H₂S水平与TNF-α、IL-6和IL-13水平均呈负相关（P<0.05）,与FEV₁%pred、FEV₁/FVC和PEF%pred均呈正相关（P<0.05）;支气管哮喘患儿血清Eotaxin水平与TNF-α、IL-6和IL-13水平均呈正相关（P<0.05）,与FEV₁%pred、FEV₁/FVC和PEF%pred均呈负相关（P<0.05）。血清H₂S预测支气管哮喘患儿病情的曲线下面积为0.854,灵敏度和特异度分别为77.89%和81.05%,Youden指数为0.5894;血清Eotaxin预测支气管哮喘患儿病情的曲线下面积为0.924,灵敏度和特异度分别为92.71%和84.38%,Youden指数为0.7709。结论：支气管哮喘急性发作期患儿与缓解期患儿相比,其血清H2S水平较低,Eotaxin水平较高,血清H₂S和Eotaxin水平与机体炎症反应及肺功能密切相关,有助于辅助评估支气管哮喘患儿的病情。     

特应性皮炎患儿外周血miR-122a和miR-146a水平与Th1/Th2/Th17免疫平衡的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨特应性皮炎（AD）患儿外周血微小核糖核酸（miRNA）-122a和miR-146a水平与辅助性T细胞（Th）1/Th2/Th17免疫平衡的相关性。方法：选取2020年5月～2023年5月石家庄市妇幼保健院皮肤科收治的AD患儿100例为AD组,根据特应性皮炎评分（SCORAD）分为轻度组31例、中度组41例、重度组28例,另选取同期100名体检健康儿童为对照组。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应检测外周血miR-122a、miR-146a水平,流式细胞术检测外周血Th1、Th2、Th17细胞比例,酶联免疫吸附法检测外周血Th1、Th2、Th17相关细胞因子[白细胞介素（IL）-2、干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）、IL-4、IL-13、IL-17、IL-22]水平,并计算Th1/Th2/Th17比值。采用Pearson/Spearman相关性分析AD患儿外周血miR-122a、miR-146a与Th1、Th2、Th17和相关细胞因子及Th1/Th2/Th17的相关性。结果：AD组外周血miR-122a、miR-146a、Th1、Th1/Th2/Th17、IL-2、IFN-γ水平低于对照组,Th2、Th17、IL-4、IL-13、IL-17、IL-22水平高于对照组（P均＜0.05）。轻度组、中度组、重度组外周血miR-122a、miR-146a、Th1、Th1/Th2/Th17、IL-2、IFN-γ水平依次降低,Th2、Th17、IL-4、IL-13、IL-17、IL-22水平依次升高（P均＜0.05）。Pearson/Spearman相关性分析显示,AD患儿外周血miR-122a、miR-146a与Th1、Th1/Th2/Th17、IL-2、IFN-γ水平呈正相关（r/rs分别为0.679、0.677、0.684、0.706、0.693、0.689、0.671、0.694,P均＜0.001）,与Th2、Th17、IL-4、IL-13、IL-17、IL-22呈负相关（r/rs分别为-0.690、-0.680、-0.681、-0.669、-0.675、-0.676、-0.676、-0.686、-0.682、-0.674、-0.680、-0.689,P均＜0.001）。结论：AD患儿外周血miR-122a、miR-146a水平降低,与病情严重程度密切相关,可能通过调节Th1/Th2/Th17免疫平衡参与AD发生发展。     

支气管哮喘患儿血清半乳糖凝集素3、类胰蛋白酶、25-羟维生素D3与肺功能和生活质量的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨支气管哮喘（简称"哮喘"）患儿血清半乳糖凝集素3（Gal-3）、类胰蛋白酶、25-羟维生素D₃ [25（OH）D₃]与肺功能和生活质量的相关性。方法：选取我院2018年2月～2021年3月收治的136例哮喘患儿为研究组，行肺功能检测，将其按照病情严重程度分作轻度组63例、中度组41例及重度组32例。另取同期健康体检儿童40例作为对照组。检测并比较各组血清Gal-3、类胰蛋白酶、25（OH）D₃水平。对比各组哮喘患儿肺功能指标，以中文版儿科哮喘生命质量调查问卷(PAQLQ)对哮喘患儿进行生活质量评估。并以Pearson相关性分析哮喘患儿血清Gal-3、类胰蛋白酶、25（OH）D₃水平与肺功能和生活质量的关系。结果：研究组的血清Gal-3、类胰蛋白酶水平均高于对照组，且轻度组、中度组、重度组逐渐升高；血清25（OH）D₃水平均低于对照组，轻度组、中度组、重度组逐渐下降（P＜0.05）。中度组及重度组第1秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分比（FEV₁%pred）、呼吸峰流速占预计值百分比（PEF%pred）、第1秒用力呼气容积/用力肺活量（FEV₁/FVC）以及PAQLQ各项评分均低于轻度组，且重度组低于中度组，差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。经Pearson相关性分析可得：哮喘患儿血清Gal-3、类胰蛋白酶水平与各项肺功能指标以及PAQLQ各项评分均呈负相关，而血清25（OH）D₃水平与与各项肺功能指标以及PAQLQ各项评分均呈正相关（均P＜0.05）。结论：血清Gal-3、类胰蛋白酶、25（OH）D₃水平与哮喘患儿的肺功能以及生活质量密切相关，可能成为评估其病情及生活质量的可靠指标。     

YKL-40、CD4+/CD8+比值与腺病毒肺炎患儿炎性因子和并发喘息的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨血清壳多糖酶3样蛋白1（YKL-40）、外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与腺病毒肺炎（AP）患儿炎性因子和并发喘息的关系。方法：选取2019年10月～2022年10月湖北省妇幼保健院收治的97例AP患儿为AP组,根据是否并发喘息分别为喘息组和无喘息组,另选取同期50例体检健康儿童为对照组。收集AP患儿的临床资料,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清YKL-40和炎性因子[白细胞介素（IL）-6、IL-8、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNFα）]水平,流式细胞术检测外周血CD4⁺、CD8⁺比例并计算CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值。采用Spearman相关性分析AP患儿血清YKL-40、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与炎性因子水平的相关性,多因素Logistic回归分析AP患儿并发喘息的影响因素。结果：与对照组比较,AP组血清YKL-40、外周血CD8⁺比例升高,CD4⁺比例、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值降低（P＜0.05）。AP组血清IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）。Spearman相关性分析显示,AP患儿血清YKL-40与IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平呈正相关,外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平呈负相关（P＜0.05）。97例AP患儿住院期间喘息发生率为50.52%（49/97）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,呼吸衰竭、小气道病变、特应性体质和血清IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α、YKL-40升高为AP患儿并发喘息的独立危险因素,外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值升高为独立保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论：AP患儿血清YKL-40水平升高和外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值降低,与炎性因子水平升高和并发喘息密切相关。     

血清APOC1、LDH及炎性感染指标在难治性支原体肺炎患儿中的表达水平及其与肺通气功能、预后效果的相关性分析

摘要 目的：分析血清载脂蛋白C1（APOC1）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）及炎性感染指标在难治性支原体肺炎患儿中的表达水平及其与肺通气功能、预后效果的相关性。方法：选择我院自2019年1月至2022年12月接诊的130例难治性支原体肺炎患儿作为观察组，另选同期在我院体检且结果正常的儿童作为对照组。检测两组入选者血清APOC1、LDH及炎性感染指标[C反应蛋白（CRP）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）]表达水平、肺通气功能指标[用力肺活量（FVC）、第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV₁）、呼气峰流速（PEF）]；观察组患儿均严格按照《儿童社区获得性肺炎诊疗规范（2019年版）》接受治疗，通过ROC曲线下面积（AUC）评价血清APOC1、LDH及炎性感染指标对难治性支原体肺炎患儿预后不良的预测效能。结果：观察组血清APOC1、LDH、CRP、IL-6表达水平均高于对照组（P＜0.05）；在观察组患儿中，重症组血清APOC1、LDH、CRP、IL-6表达水平均高于轻症组（P＜0.05）；经Pearson相关性分析，难治性支原体肺炎患儿血清APOC1、LDH、CRP、IL-6表达水平均与FVC、FEV1、PEF呈负相关（P＜0.05）；经多因素Logistic回归分析，难治性支原体肺炎患儿血清APOC1、LDH、CRP、IL-6均是其预后不良的独立预测因素（P＜0.05）；经ROC曲线分析，难治性支原体肺炎患儿血清APOC1、LDH、CRP联合IL-6预测其预后不良的AUC为0.930。结论：血清APOC1、LDH及炎性感染指标在难治性支原体肺炎患儿中的表达水平明显升高，与其肺通气功能密切相关，其中APOC1、LDH、CRP联合IL-6预测预后不良的效能较好，值得进一步研究应用。     

支气管哮喘急性发作期患者呼出气一氧化氮的诊断价值及与肺功能和血清ECP、IL-13的关系研究

摘要 目的：研究支气管哮喘（BA）急性发作期患者呼出气一氧化氮（FeNO）的诊断价值及与其肺功能和血清嗜酸性粒细胞阳离子蛋白（ECP）、白细胞介素-13（IL-13）的关系。方法：将我院从2018年1月～2020年1月收治的78例BA患者纳入研究,将其按照病情的不同分成急性发作组（急性发作期）42例与非急性发作组（缓解期）36例。比较两组FeNO、肺功能指标水平和血清ECP、IL-13水平,并作相关性分析。此外,以受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析FeNO对BA急性发作期的有关诊断效能。结果：急性发作组FeNO水平高于非急性发作组,而最大呼气流量占预计值的百分比（PEF%pred）、第1秒用力呼气末容积占预计值的百分比（FEV₁%pred）及用力肺活量占预计值的百分比（FVC%pred）水平均低于非急性发作组（均P＜0.05）。急性发作组血清ECP、IL-13水平均高于非急性发作组（均P＜0.05）。经Pearson相关分析发现：BA急性发作期患者FeNO与PEF%pred、FEV₁%pred、FVC%pred均呈负相关,而与血清ECP、IL-13水平均呈正相关（均P＜0.05）。经ROC曲线分析发现：FeNO诊断BA急性发作期的曲线下面积为0.818,敏感度与特异度分别为75.51%、94.05%。结论：BA急性发作期患者FeNO水平显著升高,且和肺功能、血清ECP、IL-13密切相关,检测FeNO对BA急性发作期患者具有较高的诊断价值。     

小儿肺咳颗粒联合头孢呋辛酯治疗急性支气管炎患儿的临床疗效及对免疫功能和炎症指标的影响

摘要 目的：探讨小儿肺咳颗粒联合头孢呋辛酯治疗急性支气管炎患儿的临床疗效及对免疫功能和炎症指标的影响。方法：将我院2019年1月到2020年12月期间接收的88例急性支气管炎患儿以信封抽签法的方式分为对照组（头孢呋辛酯治疗）和观察组（小儿肺咳颗粒联合头孢呋辛酯治疗）,各44例,两组患儿均治疗10 d。观察两组患儿疗效、临床症状消失时间、免疫功能、炎症因子及不良反应。结果：观察组患儿临床总有效率为90.91%（40/44）,高于对照组患儿的70.45%（31/44）（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,观察组的临床症状消失时间（肺部啰音、咳嗽、发热）更短（P<0.05）。治疗10 d后,观察组CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺高于对照组,CD8⁺低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗10 d后,观察组血清白介素-6（IL-6）、超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率组间对比差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：急性支气管炎患儿在头孢呋辛酯治疗的基础上给予小儿肺咳颗粒治疗,症状缓解时间缩短,同时还可有效降低血清炎症因子水平,提高患儿免疫力,安全可靠。     

血清中IL-17和Eotaxin水平检测在支气管哮喘患儿中的应用价值

摘要 目的：研究血清中白介素-17（interleukin,IL-17）和嗜酸性粒细胞趋化因子（Eotaxin）水平检测在支气管哮喘患儿中的应用价值。方法：选择2018年1月～2019年12月陕西省中医医院和西安市第一医院的60例支气管哮喘患儿为观察组,其中的18例缓解期患儿为缓解期组,42例急性发作期患儿为急性发作期组,且选择在我院体检的60例健康儿童为对照组。比较缓解期组、急性发作期组患儿和对照组儿童的血清IL-17和Eotaxin水平;比较缓解期组、急性发作期组患儿的一秒钟用力呼气量（forced expiratory volumeat 1st,FEV₁）以及最大呼气流量（peak expiratory flow,PEF）和生活质量评分;分析缓解期组、急性发作期组患儿的血清IL-17与Eotaxin的相关性;并分析缓解期组、急性发作期组患儿的血清IL-17、Eotaxin水平与PEF、FEV₁和生活质量评分的相关性。结果：缓解期组、急性发作期组患儿的血清IL-17和Eotaxin水平明显高于对照组（P<0.05）,且急性发作期组患儿的血清IL-17和Eotaxin水平明显高于缓解期组（P<0.05）;急性发作期组患儿的PEF、FEV₁和生活质量评分明显低于缓解期组（P<0.05）;缓解期组、急性发作期组患儿的血清IL-17与Eotaxin之间均呈明显的正相关性（P<0.05）;缓解期组患儿的血清IL-17、Eotaxin水平与PEF、FEV₁和生活质量评分均呈明显的负相关性（P<0.05）;急性发作期组患儿的血清IL-17、Eotaxin水平与PEF、FEV₁和生活质量评分均呈明显的负相关性（P<0.05）。结论：血清IL-17和Eotaxin在支气管哮喘患儿的发病过程中可以相互影响,共同参与患儿生理病理改变过程,血清IL-17和Eotaxin可作为评估支气管哮喘患儿病情严重程度和生活质量的客观指标。     

丹参凝胶治疗对特应性皮炎小鼠模型皮肤屏障功能、表皮增生以及免疫功能的影响

摘要 目的：研究丹参凝胶治疗对特应性皮炎小鼠模型皮肤屏障功能、表皮增生以及免疫功能的影响。方法：30只C57BL/6小鼠被随机分为Control组、AD组和SG组,每组10只。AD组和SG组背部涂抹对二硝基氟苯建立特应性皮炎小鼠模型,SG小鼠在模型建立成功后涂抹丹参凝胶治疗3周,Control组和AD组涂抹凡士林作为对照。3周后,测量所有小鼠经皮水分丢失量( TEWL) 、皮肤厚度、脾脏指数、胸腺指数,血清IgE、IFN-γ和IL-4,脾脏树突状细胞、Th1和Th2细胞比例。结果：丹参凝胶治疗3周后,AD组和SG组小鼠TEWL、皮肤厚度、脾脏指数、胸腺指数,血清IgE、IFN-γ和IL-4含量,以及脾脏Th2细胞比例均显著高于对照组正常小鼠（P<0.05）,而脾脏树突状细胞、Th1细胞和Th1/Th2细胞比例均显著低于对照组正常小鼠（P<0.05）;与AD组小鼠相比,SG组小鼠TEWL、皮肤厚度、脾脏指数、胸腺指数,血清IgE、IFN-γ和IL-4含量,以及脾脏Th2细胞比例均显著降低（P<0.05）,而脾脏树突状细胞、Th1细胞和Th1/Th2细胞比例均显著升高（P<0.05）。结论：丹参凝胶具有保护特应性皮炎样小鼠皮肤屏障功能和抑制表皮增生的功能,并且可以影响特应性皮炎样小鼠脾脏树突状细胞和辅助性T细胞比例。     

嗜酸乳杆菌La28和植物乳杆菌LP45对过敏小鼠的干预作用

[目的]研究嗜酸乳杆菌La28和植物乳杆菌LP45对特应性皮炎和过敏性哮喘小鼠的干预作用,解析其在相关免疫调节上的菌株特异性差异.[方法]对特应性皮炎研究中将40只小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、La28组和LP45组,除对照组外的其他三组采用2,4-二硝基氟苯诱导耳肿胀和皮炎模型,La28组和LP45组每天灌胃5×108...     

A combination of Olea europaea leaf extract and Spirodela polyrhiza extract alleviates atopic dermatitis by modulating immune balance and skin barrier function in a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-induced murine model

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in humans. Although Olea europaea leaf extract (OLE) and Spirodela polyrhiza extract (SPE) have been used to protect against skin damage, the effects of their combined administration on atopic dermatitis have yet to studied.PurposeIn this study, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effects of an OLE and SPE combination on the progression of atopic dermatitis and the possible mechanisms underlying these effects in 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-treated NC/Nga mice.MethodsAtopic dermatitis was induced by topical application of 0.2% w/v DNCB prepared in an olive oil:acetone solution (1:3), and thereafter OLE, SPE and OLE + SPE were administered orally for 5 weeks. We determined atopic dermatitis symptoms, serum IgE levels, and levels of cytokine- and gene expression in the dorsal skin and splenocytes, and performed histological and immune cell subtype analyses. The expression of skin barrier-related proteins (filaggrin, sirtuin 1, and claudin 1) was also evaluated.ResultsThe OLE + SPE combination significantly ameliorated atopic dermatitis symptoms, including dermatitis scores, and reduced epidermal thickness and infiltration of different inflammatory cells in mice with DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis. It also significantly reduced the number of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, and CD4⁺/CD69⁺ T cells; immunoglobulin E-producing B cells (CD23⁺/B220⁺) in the axillary lymph nodes; CD3⁺ T-cell eosinophils (chemokine–chemokine receptor 3⁺/CD11b⁺) in the skin; and CD3⁺ T cells, immunoglobulin E-producing B cells (CD23⁺/B220⁺), and eosinophils in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Additionally, the experimental combination lowered levels of serum immunoglobulin E and histamine, as well as Th2-mediated cytokines, and interleukin-4, -5, and -13, whereas it increased the levels of Th1-mediated cytokine interferon-γ in splenocytes. Furthermore, the preparation significantly restored expression of the skin barrier-related proteins filaggrin, sirtuin 1, and claudin 1, and also reduced the expression of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and chemokine–chemokine receptor 3, as well as the pruritus-related cytokine interleukin-31 and interleukin-31 receptor, in atopic dermatitis skin lesions.ConclusionTaken together, our findings indicate that administration of a combination of OLE and SPE can alleviate atopic dermatitis symptoms by regulating immune balance and skin barrier function and may be an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.     

The relationship between serum levels of total IgE, IL-18, IL-12, IFN-gamma and disease severity in children with atopic dermatitis

Studies about the role of cytokines on the immunopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) are generally based on in vitro observations and this role has not been completely clarified yet. Serum levels of total IgE, IL-18, IL-12, IFN-gamma and the relationship between these parameters and disease severity, determined using the SCORAD index, in a group of atopic patients were investigated in this study. Serum levels of total IgE were measured by the nephelometric method and serum levels of IL-18, IL-12/p40 and IFN-gamma were measured by ELISA method. Serum levels of total IgE and IL-18 were found significantly higher in study group than in controls (P<.001). There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls in respect of serum levels of IL-12/p40 (P = .227). A statistically significant relationship between SCORAD values and serum levels of total IgE (P < .001), IL-18 (P < .001), and IL-12/p40 (P < .001) was determined. These results show that serum levels of IL-18 can be a sensitive parameter that importantly correlates with clinical severity of AD, can play a role in the immunopathogenesis of AD, and furthermore may be used in the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease in addition to other parameters.     

Inhibitory effects of polysaccharide-rich extract of Phragmites rhizoma on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice

AimsPhragmites rhizoma was reported to have anti-oxidative and free radical scavenging activity. It also has been traditionally used to suppress inflammation. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the topical effects of the polysaccharide-rich extract of P. rhizoma (PEP) on atopic dermatitis.Main methodsWe induced AD-like skin lesions by an extract of the house-dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae (Dfb) in NC/Nga mice, and then performed macroscopic analysis, immunohistochemical staining and measurement of total serum IgE and cytokine production by ELISA.Key findingsTopically applied PEP suppressed dermatitis with a decrease in dermatitis score and scratch number. The histological manifestations of atopic skin lesions including thickened epidermis and increased numbers of mast cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and nerve fibers were significantly attenuated. The activation of IgE and the levels of cytokines such as IFN-γ IL-4 and IL-10 were also decreased.SignificanceOur results indicated that PEP might have an inhibitory effect on atopic dermatitis-like lesion and be a promising natural resource in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.     

Chemokine-Like Factor 1 (CLFK1) Is Over-Expressed in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Background: Human chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1), a recently discovered chemokine, has a broad spectrum of biological functions in immune-mediated diseases. It is highly expressed on Th2 lymphocytes and is a functional ligand for human CCR4. CKLF1 has a major role in the recruitment and activation of leucocytes, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. The present study was designed to determine the expression of CKLF1 in skin and serum in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).Methods: The CKLF1 protein expression in skin lesion was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. The mRNA expression of CKLF1 in skin lesion was detected by Real-time PCR. The serum levels of CKLF1, IgE, eotaxin, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were measured by ELISA.Results: Histopathological changes in the skin of AD patients showed local inflammation with epidermal thickening and significant inflammatory cellular infiltration. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that CKLF1-staining positive cells were located in the epidermal and dermis, and that the CKLF1 expression in AD patients was significantly higher than that in normal control. The CKLF1 mRNA expression in AD patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls. Serum CKLF1 and IgE levels were significantly increased in AD patients, as were the serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin.Conclusions: Both CKLF1 protien and mRNA levels are overexpressed in the skin lesion of AD patients, along with an increase in serum CKLF1 level, indicating that CKLF1 may play an important role in the development of atopic dermatitis.     

Intradermal injection of Hsp60 induces cytokine responses in canine atopic and healthy skin

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immunoregulatory potential of Hsp60 in the skin of dogs with atopic dermatitis. Three dogs with chronic atopic dermatitis and four healthy dogs were injected intradermally with Hsp60 and phosphate-buffered saline. Biopsies were taken before testing from non-injected control skin, lesional and non-lesional atopic skin, and 48 and 72 h after injection. Analysis of cytokine messenger RNA was performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Forty-eight hours after Hsp60 injection, a rise in interleukin (IL)-10 was found (P = 0.034) with the highest expression levels in non-lesional atopic and control skin. A rise of transforming growth factor beta (P = 0.015) and IL-12p40 (P = 0.017) was noticed 72 h after Hsp60 injection in control skin. No significant differences were observed for the expression of IL-4, IL-12p35, and interferon gamma. The results indicate that Hsp60 is able to induce cytokines of a regulatory and Th1 phenotype in the skin. Furthermore, this study seems to provide a first indication of deficient Hsp60 response in atopic dermatitis affected skin.     

WBN/Kob-Ht Rats Spontaneously Develop Dermatitis under Conventional Conditions: Another Possible Model for Atopic Dermatitis.

WBN/Kob-Ht rats (Ht-rats) raised under conventional conditions spontaneously developed dermatitis. In this study, we carried out histopathological analysis to elucidate the pathological features of the dermatitis in Ht-rats. We then tried to detect Staphylococcus species recovered from the skin lesions of Ht-rats. We also measured the serum levels of total IgE, IL-4 and IFN-gamma in these rats. The histopathological data indicated that inflammatory cells had infiltrated the skin lesions. Staphylococcus aureus was recovered from the skin lesions, and the serum levels of total IgE and IL-4 were elevated in Ht-rats with dermatitis. These results suggest that dermatitis in Ht-rats is similar to that in the DS-Nh mice, which has recently been proposed as an animal model for human atopic dermatitis.     

Blockade of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by DA-9102, a natural medicine isolated from Actinidia arguta, in the Mg-deficiency induced dermatitis model of hairless rats

DA-9102 isolated from Actinidia arguta is a candidate of natural medicine currently under Phase II clinical trial for atopic dermatitis in Korea. In this study, spontaneous dermatitis was induced by magnesium deficiency in hairless rats and this system was applied to assess the suppressive effects of DA-9102 on atopic dermatitis-like skin disease. Oral administration of DA-9102 at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 16 days substantially suppressed the occurrence of spontaneous dermatitis. Eczematous skin lesions, water loss and scratching behavior were significantly decreased by DA-9102 in a dose-dependent manner. Infiltration of inflammatory cells into the skin and pathologic remodeling of the epidermis and dermis were much less than the Mg-def. group. Results from flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells indicated that DA-9102 suppressed activation of leukocytes. The decrease in the number of CD45RA+ cells was accompanied by a lower level of IgE in DA-9102 treated rats, and the reduction in the number of CD11b+ cells by DA-9102 in both periphery and skin was significant. Further, DA-9102 not only suppressed the mRNA expression of T(H)2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-10 in the lymph node but it also decreased the levels of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide and leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) in the serum. Taken together, these results suggest that DA-9102 is an orally applicable potent immune modulator capable of controlling the occurrence of atopic dermatitis-like skin disease.     

Serum levels of soluble CD30 in adult patients affected by atopic dermatitis and its relation to age,duration of disease and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index

The value of CD30 and the soluble circulating fragment of CD30 (sCD30) for atopic dermatitis (AD) remains unclear. In particular, little is known about the effects of age, duration of disease and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index (SCORAD) on the levels of serum sCD30 in patients affected by AD. In the present study, we have analysed serum sCD30 levels of adult patients affected by AD. The study's population includes 18 non-smoking outpatients, with a diagnosis of AD. As a control group we studied 18 non-atopic subjects from laboratory staff, matched for sex and age. These subjects had no history of AD, urticaria or seasonal or perennial rhinitis or asthma, and had negative skin prick test to a panel of allergens. The sCD30 serum levels were clearly higher in patients affected by AD (14.2+/-9.0 IU/ml) than in healthy subjects (1.2+/-0.8 IU/ml) (p<0.001). No differences were observed between males and females affected by atopic dermatitis, regarding age, duration of disease and SCORAD. Significant correlations were found between serum levels of sCD30 levels and age (r=-0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI) for r (Fisher's z transformed)=-0.81 to -0.12; p=0.01), duration of the disease (months) (r=-0.64; 95% CI for r (Fisher's z transformed)=-0.85 to -0.24; p=0.004) and SCORAD (r=-0.74; 95% CI for r (Fisher's z transformed)=-0.89 to -0.42; p=0.004). As demonstrated by the close correlation with age, duration of disease and SCORAD, serum levels of sCD30 appear to be an additional marker for the follow-up of AD.