Expression of adhesion molecules in atopic dermatitis is reduced by tacrolimus, but not by hydrocortisone butyrate: a randomized immunohistochemical study.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: M Caproni, D Torchia, E Antiga, W Volpi, P Fabbri
• Journal: Clinical and experimental dermatology (Clin Exp Dermatol) Vol. 31 Issue 6 Pg. 813-7 (Nov 2006) ISSN: 0307-6938 [Print] England
• PMID: 17040264 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cell Adhesion Molecules
• Dermatologic Agents
• E-Selectin
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Ointments
• Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
• hydrocortisone-17-butyrate
• Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
• Hydrocortisone
• Tacrolimus

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Biopsy
• Cell Adhesion Molecules (drug effects, metabolism)
• Dermatitis, Atopic (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Dermatologic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• E-Selectin (metabolism)
• Humans
• Hydrocortisone (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Immunosuppressive Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (metabolism)
• Middle Aged
• Ointments
• Skin (metabolism)
• Tacrolimus (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (metabolism)