New insight of itch mediators and proinflammatory cytokines in epidermolysis bullosa

Abstract

Objectives: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a hereditary disorder characterized by mechanical stress-induced blistering. The presence of extracutaneous complications such as cardiomyopathy and renal disease observed in severe EB subtypes and the fact that pruritus is a common symptom across all EB subtypes indicate that EB is not only a skin fragility disease but also a systemic inflammatory disorder. Our study aims to elucidate the basis of the systemic inflammation seen in EB patients. Methods: We analyzed serum samples of 20 EB patients by Luminex bead-based cytokine assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: The serum levels of sIL-2R, IL-6, HGF, M-CSF, SCGF-β, IL-8, IL-16, IFN-γ, MIF, MIP-1α, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) (p