Decreased release of lysosomal enzymes from peripheral leukocytes of patients with atopic dermatitis

Peripheral blood leukocytes from fifteen patients with atopic dermatitis and ten normal nonatopic volunteers were incubated with various stimuli in vitro, and the release of the lysosomal beta-glucuronidase into the supernatant was measured. beta-Glucuronidase release was significantly reduced in patients with severe atopic dermatitis after stimulation with aggregated IgG, horse antihuman lymphocyte globulin (ALG), zymosan, and yeast-activated serum. There was an indirect correlation (r = -0.83) between aggregated IgG-induced beta-glucuronidase release and the intensity of clinical symptoms; however, there was no correlation with serum IgE levels. The enzyme release measured was not caused by cellular lysis, except for high concentrations of antilymphocyte globulin, as determined by lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the supernatant. It is concluded that lysosomal enzyme release defects might be involved in the well-known decreased resistance to infections in patients with atopic dermatitis.