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Elastase-inhibiting activity in scaling skin disorders.
A Chang1, J Schalkwijk, R Happle
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Elastase inhibiting activity (EIA) increases in various skin scaling disorders. This activity is particularly elevated in conditions with mixed inflammatory cell infiltration, indicating abnormal keratinization.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Elastase inhibiting activity (EIA) is a known response to skin trauma involving polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN).
- The relationship between EIA and inflammation in skin disorders requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between EIA and inflammation in various scaling dermatoses.
- To determine if EIA can serve as an indicator of abnormal keratinization.
Main Methods:
- Assessed EIA in skin samples from patients with scaling dermatoses characterized by different inflammatory profiles.
- Compared EIA levels in conditions with no significant inflammation, mononuclear cell infiltration, and mixed PMN/mononuclear cell infiltration.
Main Results:
- All investigated skin disorders exhibited increased EIA compared to normal skin.
- Psoriasis, erythrodermic autosomal recessive lamellar ichthyosis (EARLI), and Netherton syndrome showed significantly higher EIA.
- Elevated EIA correlated with abnormal keratinization, especially in cases with mixed inflammatory cell infiltration.
Conclusions:
- EIA is elevated across a spectrum of scaling dermatoses.
- EIA is a potential indicator of abnormal keratinization, particularly pronounced in disorders with mixed inflammatory infiltrates.