ABSTRACT
There is increasing evidence that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1] and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1] play an important role in allergic inflammation. They play an important role in establishing intercellular contacts necessary for immunologic reaction. The present study was designed to assess serum levels of soluble forms of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and skin biopsies were taken to assess their tissue level in atopic dermatitis patients. Serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 and soluble VCAM-1 were measured by immunoenzymatic assay in 25 patients with atopic dermatitis [AD] and 15 normal subjects as control group. The expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was studied by immunohistochemical procedure of skin biopsies from lesions. Serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were significantly [P<0.001] elevated in patients with AD compared to control. ICAM-1 staining was strongly positive in 60% of cases, moderately positive in 16%, and mildly positive in 24%. VCAM-1 staining showed relatively weaker positivity in all cases. Significant positive correlation was found between sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and IgE as well between sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. This suggests that, a common mechanism is responsible for increased production of serum IgE, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in AD. [1] Serum sICAM-1 and serum sVCAM-1 are elevated in pediatric patients with AD. [2] Serum levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 may be useful in monitoring disease activity in AD in childhood especially in treatment trials