Soluble E-selectin correlates with disease activity in cyclosporin A-treated patients with atopic dermatitis

Background: The expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells regulates leukocyte migration. The level of soluble adhesion molecules which are shed into the circulation is known to reflect the degree of inflammation, and this level can therefore be used as an indicator of disease activity. The objective of this study was first to investigate the relationship between sE-selectin levels and disease activity parameters (scores of extent, severity, itch, and sleep) in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients, and second to determine the effect of therapy with an immunosuppressive drug (cyclosporin A) on sE-selectin levels.

Methods: Fourteen patients with severe AD and 41 healthy controls were studied. sE-selectin was measured by ELISA both 2 weeks before therapy with cyclosporin A and after 16 weeks of treatment.

Results: At baseline, the level of sE-selectin was significantly higher in patients with AD than in healthy control subjects (P<0.0001). After treatment of AD with cyclosporin A, there was a significant reduction of the sE-selectin levels (P<0.0001). In addition, changes in sE-selectin levels significantly correlated with changes in disease activity parameters such as severity (P<0.002) and extent of disease (P<0.049).

Conclusions: Soluble E-selectin is a new serologic marker in AD which reflects disease activity. Therefore, soluble E-selectin may be a useful parameter in the monitoring of this disease.