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Lesional elastase activity in psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Human leukocyte elastase (HLE) activity was absent in healthy skin but significantly elevated in patients with inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis and dermatitis. This assay may serve as a biochemical marker for epidermal inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Dermatology
- Enzymology
Background:
- Human leukocyte elastase (HLE) is a serine protease from neutrophils and macrophages.
- HLE plays a role in inflammatory processes.
- Its role in skin inflammation was previously unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an assay for measuring HLE activity on the skin surface.
- To investigate HLE activity in patients with inflammatory skin diseases.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel assay to quantify HLE activity.
- Application of the assay to skin surface samples from healthy controls and patients with psoriasis, allergic contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis.
Main Results:
- HLE activity was undetectable in the skin of healthy individuals.
- Significantly increased HLE activity was observed in lesional skin of psoriasis (31-fold), allergic contact dermatitis (55-fold), and atopic dermatitis (35-fold).
- No elevated HLE activity was found in the uninvolved skin of patients with these conditions.
Conclusions:
- The developed assay is a potential biochemical marker for epidermal inflammation.
- Elevated HLE activity in diseased skin suggests a pathophysiological role in psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis.
- The presence of active HLE despite endogenous inhibitors points to its involvement in disease pathogenesis.