Profile of cytokine mRNA expression in spontaneous and UV-induced skin lesions from actinic prurigo patients.
BACKGROUND
Actinic prurigo (AP) appears to be an immune-mediated disease triggered by exposure to ultraviolet light (UV).


OBJECTIVE
To assess the profile of cytokine production in skin lesions from AP patients.


METHODS
The cytokine production (IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-alpha, IFN-tau, and TGF-beta) in skin biopsies from 12 AP lesions was determined by a semiquantitative coupled reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
We found expression of TGF-beta and IL-13 genes in most AP skin lesions; IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-tau, and IL-10 were detected in some of these specimens. However, the levels of expression of all cytokines studied were not significantly different in AP skin lesions compared to nonlesional skin.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-beta and IL-13 might have a key role in both the inflammatory phenomenon and absence of significant expression of most cytokines in AP skin. The cytokine production in AP skin resembles that observed in rheumatoid synovium, a paucity in cytokine expression despite the presence of infiltrating activated mononuclear cells.
Santos-Martínez
L
L
Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of San Luis Potosi, México.
Llorente
L
L
Baranda
L
L
Richaud-Patin
Y
Y
Torres-Alvarez
B
B
Moncada
B
B
González-Amaro
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011536:Prurigo / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
D016207:Cytokines; D018793:Interleukin-13; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta