title: Leukaemia inhibitory factor: induction in the early phase of allergic contact dermatitis.
abstract: It has been suggested that leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), may be involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous inflammation. In 5 patients with previously proven contact allergy to nickel, LIF mRNA and protein expression were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in 5% nickel sulfate patch test biopsies 24 h after application of the patch. Control specimens were obtained from non-tested and vehicle-tested skin from the same individuals. LIF mRNA expression was significantly increased in nickel-tested skin compared with both vehicle-tested (p = 0.045) and non-tested skin (p = 0.041). All biopsies showed similar patterns of LIF immunoreactivity, with no significant differences between nickel-tested, vehicle-tested and non-tested skin. Immunostaining was cytoplasmic and was present in the epidermis and hair follicles. No dermal staining was observed. This study suggests that LIF may play a role in the early phase of allergic contact dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Szepietowski
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Keohane
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Aldridge
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D010328:Patch Tests; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007509:Irritants; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008222:Lymphokines; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C029938:nickel sulfate; D009532:Nickel