Immunohistochemical characterization of HSP, alpha-MSH, Merkel cells and neuronal markers in acute UV dermatitis and acute contact dermatitis in vivo.
OBJECTIVE
To study the immunoneurocrine network in inflammatory dermatoses, we investigated histochemically acute UV and acute contact dermatitis.


METHODS
Antibodies were applied to frozen and paraffin specimens of human skin after irradiation (n = 10), to positive patch tests (n = 10) and controls (n = 10) against: HSP 70, 72, 27, neuronal polypeptides (alpha-MSH, NSE, bombesin, PGP 9.5, NGF, NGF-R) and intermediate filaments (peripherin, NF 200, CK 19, 20).


RESULTS
HSPs and alpha-MSH were upregulated in UV dermatitis in the epidermis compared to contact dermatitis and normal skin. Sunburn cells did not express HSPs or alpha-MSH in UV dermatitis. Neuronal markers and HSP 27 labeled more nerve fibers in UV than in contact dermatitis, except the increased staining for NGF, NGF-R and alpha-MSH in nerve fibers in contact dermatitis. In UV dermatitis, 50% of Merkel cells were suprabasal, but in contact dermatitis, basal, rounded and reduced in number.


CONCLUSIONS
Merkel cells, HSPs and markers of neuroinflammation are of different importance in UV and contact dermatitis in vivo.
Bayerl
C
C
Department of Dermatology, Mannheim Medical School, University of Heidelberg, Germany. christiane.bayerl@haut.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Lauk
J
J
Moll
I
I
Jung
E G
EG
D017209:Apoptosis; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D018862:Merkel Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013471:Sunburn; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000032:analysis*
D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D000521:alpha-MSH