TY - JOUR
T1 - Serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CTACK) levels in allergic diseases
T2 - TARC and CTACK are disease-specific markers for atopic dermatitis
AU - Hijnen, Dirk Jan
AU - De Bruin-Weller, Marjolein
AU - Oosting, Bert
AU - Lebre, Cristina
AU - De Jong, Esther
AU - Bruijnzeel-Koomen, Carla
AU - Knol, Edward
PY - 2004/2
Y1 - 2004/2
N2 - Background: Tissue infiltration of CD4+ T cells plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. T-cell trafficking is mediated by specific chemokines and their receptors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the participation of the chemokines thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CTACK) in a large population of patients with allergic diseases. Methods: Serum TARC and CTACK levels were measured in 455 patients with allergic disease. Patients were characterized as having atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, or combinations or as healthy control subjects. Serum TARC and CTACK levels were correlated with disease activity in patients with AD. Furthermore, in 7 patients with AD, serum TARC and CTACK levels were studied after the start of systemic cyclosporin A treatment. Finally, TARC and CTACK localization was checked by immunohistochemistry in lesional skin biopsy specimens of patients with AD. Results: Both TARC and CTACK serum levels in patients with AD were significantly higher than those in healthy control subjects and patients with allergic respiratory disease. Furthermore, serum TARC and CTACK levels significantly correlated with disease activity in patients with AD. Serum TARC levels paralleled clinical improvement in patients treated with cyclosporin A. Immunoreactive TARC was found in infiltrating cells and endothelial cells of the dermis but not in epidermal cells. Conclusions: The serum TARC level is an objective parameter for disease severity specific for AD. Furthermore, it is a promising tool for treatment monitoring.
AB - Background: Tissue infiltration of CD4+ T cells plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. T-cell trafficking is mediated by specific chemokines and their receptors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the participation of the chemokines thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CTACK) in a large population of patients with allergic diseases. Methods: Serum TARC and CTACK levels were measured in 455 patients with allergic disease. Patients were characterized as having atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, or combinations or as healthy control subjects. Serum TARC and CTACK levels were correlated with disease activity in patients with AD. Furthermore, in 7 patients with AD, serum TARC and CTACK levels were studied after the start of systemic cyclosporin A treatment. Finally, TARC and CTACK localization was checked by immunohistochemistry in lesional skin biopsy specimens of patients with AD. Results: Both TARC and CTACK serum levels in patients with AD were significantly higher than those in healthy control subjects and patients with allergic respiratory disease. Furthermore, serum TARC and CTACK levels significantly correlated with disease activity in patients with AD. Serum TARC levels paralleled clinical improvement in patients treated with cyclosporin A. Immunoreactive TARC was found in infiltrating cells and endothelial cells of the dermis but not in epidermal cells. Conclusions: The serum TARC level is an objective parameter for disease severity specific for AD. Furthermore, it is a promising tool for treatment monitoring.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=1142285210&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jaci.2003.12.007
DO - 10.1016/j.jaci.2003.12.007
M3 - Article
C2 - 14767451
AN - SCOPUS:1142285210
SN - 0091-6749
VL - 113
SP - 334
EP - 340
JO - Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
JF - Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
IS - 2
ER -