Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach
Published on: September 26, 2019
Serum TARC and CTACK concentrations in children with atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, and urticaria
Edyta Machura1, Małgorzata Rusek-Zychma, Magdalena Jachimowicz
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Silesia, 3-Maja, Zabrze, Poland.
Background:
Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) and cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CTACK/CCL27) belong to the CC chemokine family, which plays an important role in immune-inflammatory processes. It has been demonstrated that serum concentrations of TARC and CTACK are increased in patients with various allergic diseases.
Aim:
To compare serum TARC and CTACK concentrations between children with different clinical manifestation of mast cell-dependent diseases, such as atopic allergy and urticaria.
Methods:
A total of 87 children including 26 with mild to severe atopic dermatitis (AD), 43 children with controlled allergic asthma symptoms (treated and untreated with anti-inflammatory drugs), and 18 children with urticaria were recruited into the study. The control group consisted of 31 healthy non-atopic children.
Results:
Serum concentrations of TARC and CTACK were significantly higher in children with AD than in healthy controls. No significant differences in serum concentrations of the chemokines between asthmatics, urticaria patients, and healthy controls were found. The severity of AD symptoms significantly correlated with serum CTACK and TARC concentrations.
Conclusion:
These findings, in conjunction with earlier data, indicate that differences may exist in circulating concentrations of TARC and CTACK, between patients with atopic allergy and urticaria.
Related Concept Videos
Asthma I: Introduction
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma

