A common pathogenic chain link of immune-mediated skin diseases in local disorders of immune-endocrine regulation

The goal of the study was to reveal a common pathogenic link of immune-mediated skin conditions such as disorders of interaction of adrenocorticotropic hormone and pro-inflammatory cytokines directly in the skin. 94 patients aged 18 to 45 years, of both sexes, with immune-mediated conditions, including atopic dermatitis, limited scleroderma, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and plaque psoriasis, were studied. A majority of patients, except for scleroderma, had atopic constitution with or without manifestation of respiratory allergic disease and food allergies. All patients also had various concomitant chronic conditions, primarily of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. A patented modification of “skin window,” when a chamber with saline is installed on the scarified skin area to accumulate exudate containing targeted molecules, corticotropin, and cytokines Interleukin-1β, Interleikin-18, Interleukin-6, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, is used. Determination of values of molecules is carried out using electro chemiluminescent immunoassay and other analyses. In all patients, the skin exudate adrenocorticotropic hormone value was significantly reduced compared to the control group, whereas the content of cytokines obtained from the “skin window” exceeded similar indicators in healthy individuals. A high degree of correlation between adrenocorticotropic hormone and IL-6 was registered. The forgotten “skin window” technology demonstrates a proper opportunity to acquire biological material from the skin for investigation of targeted molecules at the local level.