Expression of adhesion molecules in atopic dermatitis is reduced by tacrolimus, but not by hydrocortisone butyrate: a randomized immunohistochemical study.
Topical tacrolimus represents an effective and well-tolerated treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). Its known effects include reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines and reduced chemokine gradient. We performed lesional skin biopsies on adult patients affected by moderate-to-severe AD. Then, patients were randomized to receive local treatment with tacrolimus ointment 0.1% and hydrocortisone butyrate ointment 1%. On the 21st day of treatment, another skin specimen was taken. Nine patients treated with tacrolimus and seven treated with hydrocortisone successfully concluded the trial. By immunohistochemistry (alkaline phosphatase/antialkaline phosphatase method), we demonstrated that endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule (ELAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 showed different intensities and patterns of expression in untreated AD lesions. Tacrolimus-treated specimens featured a significant reduction of the expression of ELAM-1, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, while hydrocortisone-treated lesions did not. Inhibition of adhesion molecule expression may represent another selective mechanism of action of topical tacrolimus in AD.
Caproni
M
M
Department of Dermatological Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Torchia
D
D
Antiga
E
E
Volpi
W
W
Fabbri
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D019040:E-Selectin; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C007975:hydrocortisone-17-butyrate; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D016559:Tacrolimus