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Circulating stem cell factor in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria
Riccardo Asero1, Alberto Tedeschi, Maurizio Lorini
1Ambulatorio di Allergologia, Clinica San Carlo, Paderno Dugnano (MI), Italy. r.asero@libero.it
Summary
Stem cell factor (SCF) does not appear to play a pathogenic role in chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Studies found no significant difference in SCF levels between CIU patients and healthy controls, regardless of histamine release assay results.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Allergy
Background:
- Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) pathogenesis is debated, with autoantibodies to Fc(epsilon)RI found in only 20% of patients.
- Mast cell presence in CIU skin biopsies suggests a potential role for mast cell mediators like stem cell factor (SCF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of stem cell factor (SCF) as a histamine-releasing factor in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).
Main Methods:
- Serum SCF levels were measured in 65 CIU patients (positive autologous serum skin test) and 40 healthy controls.
- Patients were stratified based on in vitro histamine release assay results (32 negative, 33 positive).
- Quantitative sandwich immunoassay was used to measure SCF levels.
Main Results:
- Serum SCF levels were comparable between CIU patients and healthy controls.
- No significant difference in SCF levels was observed between CIU patients with positive versus negative histamine release assay results.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum SCF levels are not implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).
- SCF does not appear to be a significant histamine-releasing factor in this patient cohort.