Plasma α-defensins are elevated during exacerbation of atopic dermatitis.

Background: There is no currently no information regarding the role of α-defensins in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis (AD).

Aim: To investigate levels of plasma α-defensins at exacerbation and remission of AD, and to assess their association with clinical severity of AD.

Methods: Patients with AD during exacerbation were recruited from the Dermatology department at the Chita Medical Academy (Chita, Russian Federation). SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis), itch intensity, plasma concentrations of α-defensins, and serum total IgE, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8 and IL-10 levels were measured at study entry and after 4 months.

Results: In total, 82 patients with AD [35 (45.1%) female and 47 (54.9%) male patients, mean ± SD age 42.2 ± 11.5 years, range 15-40] and 30 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Mean objective SCORAD score was 48.8 ± 19.4 and 16.1 ± 8.3 during AD during exacerbation and remission, respectively (P < 0.01). Plasma α-defensin levels in patients with AD (1.41 ± 0.32 μg/L) were significantly higher than in HCs (0.91 ± 0.34 μg/L) (P < 0.001). Significant correlations were found between plasma α-defensin levels with objective SCORAD (r = 0.55, P < 0.001), itch severity (r = 0.25, P < 0.05) and serum IgE levels (r = 0.38, P < 0.001) during AD exacerbation. Serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-8 were significantly higher and levels of IL-10 were lower at AD exacerbation in patients than in HCs, with a weak negative correlation between plasma α-defensin and serum IL-10 levels (r = -0.22; P < 0.05).

Conclusion: During AD exacerbation, plasma α-defensin levels are elevated, and are positively correlated with AD clinical severity, itch intensity and serum IgE levels.