The expression of adheson molecules on skin following prick test with Dermatophagoides farinae in patients with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

The etiology of atopic dermatitis(AD) is still unknown, but many investigators believe that an allegic reaction to environmental antigens, especially the house dust mite, may be important in pathogenesis of AD. The skin lesion associated with AD is characterized histologically by an infiltration of inflammatory cells which is largely attributed to the expression of adhension molecules. We have investigated the changes in the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin on vascular endothelial cells obtained from skin biopsies immediately, 15 minutes and 24 hours after a prick test with D. farinae from AD patients.

In clinically normal skin, the expression of ICAM-1 was observed focally on vascular endothelial cells, but VCAM-1 and E-selection were not expressed. In the skin biopsies obtained 15 minutes after pricking, the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was slightly increased while the expression of E-selectin was markedly induced on vascular endothelial cells. 24 hours after pricking, linear and strong expressions of ICAM-1 and E-selectin were observed on the vascular endothelial cells, but the expression of VCAM-1 was only mild.

D. farinae increase the expression of ICAM-1 and induce the expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin on vascular endothelial cells. It is believed that these processes may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD.