Vascular endothelium express CS-1 fibronectin in allergic contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common human dermatosis in which not all the mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis have been elucidated.

To study the expression of CS-1 fibronectin, TARC and Th1-associated chemokine receptors in biopsies from allergic patch test reactions.

Thirteen patients already diagnosed with ACD were challenged on the back with the antigen responsible of the disease and macroscopic responses and biopsies taken after 48 h. Skin biopsies from negative control challenge sites, AD and ICD were also taken. Samples were fixed, embedded in paraffin wax and processed in order to perform histological and immunohistochemical studies.

All subjects with ACD showed a positive clinical response and a perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration at 48 h, which was not seen in the negative controls. The majority of skin-infiltrating cells were CD4+ and CD8+ and up to 54% or 40% of them expressed CXCR3 or CCR5, respectively. We also showed expression of CS-1 fibronectin in inflamed endothelial cells not only in ACD but also in AC and ICD. In contrast TARC was only expressed in ACD and AC.

We showed for the first time that CS-1 fibronectin is expressed in dermal vessels from allergic patch tests positive reactions, as well as irritant and atopic skin lesions.