High serum APRIL levels strongly correlate with disease severity in pediatric atopic eczema.

Background: Expression of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family member APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) is low in normal tissues but is elevated in various autoimmune diseases.

Objectives: This study explored serum APRIL in children with atopic eczema (AE) during flare and quiescence.

Methods: A case-control study including 50 patients with AE and 40 control subjects was conducted.