title: IL-31 expression by inflammatory cells is preferentially elevated in atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a recently discovered cytokine expressed in many human tissues, and predominantly by activated CD4(+) T cells. IL-31 signals through a heterodimeric receptor consisting of IL-31 receptor alpha (IL-31RA) and oncostatin M receptor beta (OSMR). Earlier studies have shown involvement of IL-31 and its receptor components IL-31RA and OSMR in atopic dermatitis, pruritus and Th2-weighted inflammation at the mRNA level. The aim of this study was to investigate IL-31 protein expression in skin of such conditions. Immunohistochemical staining for IL-31, IL-31RA and OSMR was performed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens. IL-31 expression was increased in the inflammatory infiltrates from skin biopsies taken from subjects with atopic dermatitis, compared with controls (p ≤ 0.05). IL-31, IL-31RA and OSMR protein immunoreactivity was not increased in biopsies from subjects with other Th2-weighted and pruritic skin diseases. Our results confirm, at the protein level, the relationship between IL-31 expression and atopic dermatitis. Our results do not support a general relationship between expression of IL-31/IL-31R and pruritic or Th2-mediated diseases.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland.
authors: Stephan
authors: S
authors: Nobbe
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Dziunycz
authors: Beda
authors: B
authors: Mühleisen
authors: Janine
authors: J
authors: Bilsborough
authors: Stacey R
authors: SR
authors: Dillon
authors: Lars E
authors: LE
authors: French
authors: Günther F L
authors: GF
authors: Hofbauer
mesh_terms: D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000378:metabolism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000378:metabolism; D053681:Oncostatin M Receptor beta Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D011536:Prurigo / Q000378:metabolism; D011537:Pruritus / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000378:metabolism; D012751:Sezary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D007378:Interleukins; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D053681:Oncostatin M Receptor beta Subunit; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule; C502187:IL31 protein, human; C502188:IL31RA protein, human