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Enhanced P-selectin expression in chronic and dermographic urticaria
T Zuberbier1, D Schadendorf, N Haas
1Department of Dermatology, Charit'e, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|September 26, 1997
Summary
Soluble P-selectin is significantly elevated in chronic and dermographic urticaria, indicating its potential role in the development of hives. This finding suggests endothelial P-selectin expression is important in urticarial whealing.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Urticarial skin conditions like chronic and dermographic urticaria show perivascular leukocytic infiltrations.
- Endothelial adhesion molecules are crucial in inflammatory processes and leukocyte migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of endothelial adhesion molecule expression in chronic and dermographic urticaria.
- To compare adhesion molecule levels in urticaria patients with healthy controls and allergic rhinitis subjects.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistology was used to examine E-selectin, P-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 expression in skin biopsies.
- Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) determined serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules.
- Patients with chronic urticaria (n=8), dermographic urticaria (n=8), healthy controls (n=8), and allergic rhinitis subjects (n=7) were included.
Main Results:
- Soluble P-selectin levels were significantly higher (p<0.01) in both chronic urticaria and dermographic urticaria patients compared to controls and allergic rhinitis subjects.
- Immunohistology revealed strong P-selectin expression in superficial vessels of lesional and nonlesional skin in dermographic urticaria.
- Other adhesion molecules showed no significant elevation in urticaria groups, and soluble P-selectin was not altered in allergic rhinitis.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial P-selectin expression appears to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of urticarial whealing.
- The specific elevation of soluble P-selectin in urticaria, unlike in allergic rhinitis, suggests a disease-specific mechanism rather than a general inflammatory response.