The role of adhesion molecules in atopic dermatitis.

Adhesion molecules may play an important role in the homing of T-cell subsets into allergen-exposed skin of atopic individuals. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the expression of adhesion molecules in atopic dermatitis (AD) skin lesions. Biopsies were taken at acute skin lesions from 10 AD patients and 5 healthy controls, and were studied by immunohistocytochemistry for the expression of E-selectin, L-selectin, ICAM-1 and ICAM-3 on cells in the epidermis and dermis. Study results revealed all AD patients to express ICAM-1 (10/10) and ICAM-3 (10/10) in the dermis, and most of them to express E-selectin (9/10) and L-selectin (6/10) in the dermis, without expression of E- and L-selectins in the epidermis. Our results revealed a high expression of adhesion molecules, especially ICAM-1 and ICAM-3, in the skin lesions of AD patients, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD, and these preliminary results may be of clinical relevance for the treatment of AD.