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12:23
Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering
Published on: October 12, 2012
Autoimmunity in chronic urticaria and urticarial vasculitis.
1Department of Allergy/Immunology, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX 78236, USA.
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
|March 15, 2002
Summary
Many chronic urticaria cases may stem from an autoimmune origin, with autoantibodies targeting IgE and Fc epsilon RI alpha identified in some patients. Further research explores this autoimmune basis for chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Allergy
Background:
- The etiology of chronic urticaria (CU) is often unidentified, unlike acute urticaria.
- Emerging evidence suggests an autoimmune basis in a subset of CU patients.
- Antithyroid autoantibodies have been observed in some chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature supporting a potential autoimmune etiology in a subset of CIU patients.
- To differentiate urticarial vasculitis from chronic urticaria.
- To discuss autoantibodies in primary urticarial vasculitis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on autoimmune factors in chronic urticaria.
- Analysis of studies identifying autoantibodies in CIU patients.
- Comparison of clinical and biopsy findings for CU and urticarial vasculitis.
Main Results:
- A positive autologous serum skin test in up to 60% of CIU patients indicated autoantibodies.
- Autoantibodies to IgE and Fc epsilon RI alpha were identified in CIU.
- Some identified autoantibodies can trigger histamine release from basophils and mast cells.
Conclusions:
- An autoimmune mechanism is implicated in a subset of chronic idiopathic urticaria cases.
- Urticarial vasculitis, often secondary to systemic disease, is clinically and pathologically distinct from CU.
- Autoantibodies are also present in a subset of primary urticarial vasculitis cases.
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