Calcium efflux changes in neutrophils from patients with severe atopic dermatitis

In seven patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) we investigated the 45Ca-efflux responses from prelabelled neutrophils stimulated with the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (F-Met-Leu-Phe) and catecholamines. We found no difference between the burst in 45Ca-efflux induced by F-Met-leu-Phe in AD patients when comparing with controls. Alpha 1-receptor responses are believed to be mediated by a calcium mechanism and like normal cells the 45Ca-efflux rate in AD neutrophils was unchanged both after stimulation with alpha- and beta-receptor agonists. Whereas the cAMP-hyporesponsiveness of beta-adrenergic receptors is known in atopic disease our present study might indicate a normal alpha-adrenergic response in AD neutrophils.