Clin Exp Dermatol. 2024 Jul 4:llae252. doi: 10.1093/ced/llae252. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tissue expression of endothelial cell (EC) markers of microcirculatory changes in CSU is poorly investigated.
OBJECTIVE: to explore the expression of specific EC markers (stem cell factor (SCF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and membrane attack complex (MAC)) in CSU-L and CSU-NL skin through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in serum.
METHODS: Lesional (L) and non-lesional (NL) skin biopsies from CSU patients and HCs were studied for the IHC expression of SCF, VEGF and MAC in CSU patients (n = 23) and healthy controls (HCs, n = 9). In this population, we also investigated blood levels of VEGF and SCF. Patients were also assessed for clinical characteristics, disease activity, and markers of autoimmune CSU (aiCSU).
RESULTS: Epidermal SCF reactivity was significantly higher in CSU-L skin compared to HC skin (p=0.026). In the dermis, SCF immunoreactivity was seen particularly on endothelial, perivascular and epithelial cells. In CSU-L skin, mean perivascular SCF stainings were significantly more intense compared to HCs (p<0.001). Furthermore, CSU-NL skin also showed significantly higher SCF stainings on dermal perivascular cells compared to HCs (p<0.001). CSU patients had the highest SCF immunoreactivity scores in the epidermis and/or on dermal ECs. These patients did not have significantly higher SCF serum levels.
CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show elevated cutaneous expression of SCF in chronic spontaneous urticaria. These findings underline the potential therapeutic possibilities of anti-KIT antibodies in CSU treatment.
PMID:38963799 | DOI:10.1093/ced/llae252
