Distribution of IL-31 and its receptor expressing cells in skin of atopic dermatitis

作者：Kato Atsuhiko^*; Fujii Etsuko; Watanabe Takeshi; Takashima Yoshiaki; Matsushita Hiroaki; Furuhashi Takuya; Morita Akimichi

来源：Journal of Dermatological Science, 2014, 74(3): 229-235.

DOI：10.1016/j.jdermsci.2014.02.009

• Atopic dermatitis
• IL-31
• IL-31 RA
• CD11b
• Dorsal root ganglia
• Nerve-fibers

Background: To understand the clinical segments of IL-31 signaling blockade therapy in pruritus of atopic dermatitis (AD), direct detection of the target proteins in the diseased tissues will provide crucial information. There is a lack of direct evidence concerning the cellular origin of IL-31 in AD skins, and data on the expression of IL-31RA in AD are inconsistent. Also, there is no available information regarding IL-31RA protein expression in human dorsal root ganglia (DRG), which mediates the sensation of itch and is the long-suspected source of the protein. %26lt;br%26gt;Objective: We sought to obtain direct evidence concerning the distribution of IL-31- and IL-31RA-protein expressing cells and their characteristics in AD skin samples and in human DRG. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: IL-31 was detected immunohistochemically in AD skins, and representative sections were double stained with IL-31 and several immune-markers. IL-31RA was stained immunohistochemically in AD skins and normal human DRG, and representative AD skins were double stained with IL-31RA and PGP9.5 (a nerve marker). %26lt;br%26gt;Results: IL-31-positive cells were observed as mononuclear infiltrating cells and as CD11b co-expressing cells in severe AD samples. As for IL-31RA, positive reactions were detected in keratinocytes and nerve fibers in the dermis of AD and in the neurons of normal DRG. %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusion: The detection of IL-31 in infiltrating cells of severe AD skin and of IL-31RA in nerve fibers of AD dermis and normal DRG indicates IL-31 signaling may be a contributing factor in the persistence and exacerbation of AD skin lesions.

• 出版日期2014-6
• 单位河北医科大学