Soluble E-selectin as a marker of disease activity in atopic dermatitis

Background: Augmentation in the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells can regulate leukocyte migration. These molecules are also shed into the circulation. The level of soluble adhesion molecules in the serum is known to reflect the degree of systemic inflammation, and this level can therefore be used as a marker of inflammation. Objective: To elucidate whether soluble adhesion molecules can be used as the marker of disease severity in atopic dermatitis, we examined the levels of soluble E-selectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and compared these levels with the patients' symptom scores and their total serum IgE levels. Methods: Fifty-three patients with atopic dermatitis were studied. Soluble adhesion molecules were measured by ELISA. Results: The level of soluble E-selectin was higher in patients with atopic dermatitis than in healthy control subjects (p < 0.01). Moreover, soluble E- selectin is correlated with disease severity (p < 0.01). Soluble E-selectin also reflected the changes in symptom scores. In contrast, there were no differences in soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 between the patients and control subjects. Conclusion: Soluble E-selectin is a good marker of disease severity and of its activity in atopic dermatitis.