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Eosinophil extracellular DNA traps in skin diseases
Dagmar Simon1, Susanne Hoesli, Nina Roth
1Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland. dagmar.simon@insel.ch
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|January 8, 2011
Summary
Eosinophil extracellular traps (ETs) are present in various skin diseases, including infectious and inflammatory conditions. These DNA structures, associated with eosinophil granule proteins, were commonly observed in Wells syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Eosinophils are implicated in a wide range of skin diseases, including infections.
- Eosinophil extracellular traps (ETs) are DNA structures with antimicrobial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of eosinophil extracellular traps (ETs) in various pathological skin conditions.
- To determine if ETs are found in infectious and non-infectious inflammatory skin diseases.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence staining of skin biopsy tissues from 25 eosinophilic skin diseases.
- Utilized propidium iodide and antibodies against eosinophil cationic protein.
- Evaluated slides using laser scanning microscopy.
Main Results:
- Eosinophil extracellular traps (ETs) were detected in infectious skin diseases (e.g., ectoparasitosis, larva migrans).
- ETs were also observed in allergic/reactive diseases (e.g., Wells syndrome, allergic contact dermatitis) and autoimmune diseases (e.g., bullous pemphigoid).
- While typically <10% of eosinophils formed ETs, Wells syndrome showed up to 30%, and areas of eosinophil clusters had up to 50% ET formation.
Conclusions:
- Eosinophil extracellular traps (ETs) are present in both infectious and non-infectious inflammatory skin diseases.
- ETs are particularly prevalent in Wells syndrome.
- The findings suggest a role for ETs in the pathogenesis of diverse skin conditions.
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