title: IL-16 serum level in children with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: IL-16 is a natural ligand of CD4 molecules and induces chemotaxis in CD4-expressing cells. It amplifies the inflammatory reaction by stimulating cytokine production in monocytes and activating T-cells. There is evidence that IL-16 plays a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, and increased serum levels of IL-16 have been detected in allergic diseases. However, few data are available on IL-16 serum levels in atopic dermatitis. The aim of our study is to measure IL-16 serum levels in childhood atopic dermatitis before and after treatment and to evaluate a possible correlation between IL-16 serum levels and disease severity. IL-16 serum levels were measured by an ELISA approach in 34 children (19 males and 15 females; mean age 6.8 years) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, at their first visit and after 3 months of treatment, and in 10 non-atopic healthy controls of the same age group. The severity of atopic dermatitis was measured by SCORAD index. IL-16 serum levels were significantly higher in patients affected by atopic dermatitis than in controls before and after treatment with tacrolimus ointment. No clear correlation was found between IL-16 serum levels and atopic dermatitis severity. IL-16 serum levels are increased in atopic dermatitis but do not seem to correlate with disease severity.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Dermatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belloni Fortina
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tonin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pigozzi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Michelotto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alaibac
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019410:Interleukin-16 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D019410:Interleukin-16