Standardized tape stripping prior to patch testing induces upregulation of Hsp90, Hsp70, IL-33, TNF-α and IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA: new insights into the involvement of 'alarmins'

Contact Dermatitis. 2010 Oct;63(4):215-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.2010.01769.x. Epub 2010 Aug 20.

Abstract

Background: The strip patch test is recommended if patch test results are presumed to be false-negative. It is under discussion whether the cutaneous inflammation induced by tape stripping is a pivotal element in enhancing the allergic contact dermatitis response.

Objectives: To investigate epidermal mRNA expression of mediators implicated in the regulation of inflammation induced by tape stripping according to our standardized protocol in human skin.

Patients/methods: Thirty-one healthy volunteers (median age 26 years, range 18-62 years) participated in the study. We measured epidermal mRNAs coding for cytokines [tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-33, IL-10, IL-8/CXCL8, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2)/MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5)/RANTES (regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed, and presumably secreted), IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)], an adhesion molecule [intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1)], heat shock proteins (Hsp27, Hsp70 and Hsp90), and the inflammasome complex [NACHT-LRR-PYD-containing protein-3 (NALP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC)/CARD5 (caspase recruitment domain-containing protein-5) and caspase-1] in tape-stripped skin of the upper back relative to untreated skin of the upper back, using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technology.

Results: Epidermal mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, Hsp90, Hsp70, IL-33, and IL-8/CXCL8 were significantly upregulated, whereas CCL5/RANTES expression was significantly downregulated 6 hr after standardized tape stripping.

Conclusions: Tape stripping the skin according to our standardized protocol shows immunostimulatory effects, with induction of keratinocyte-derived 'alarmins' and cytokines mounting an immune response, which may contribute to the increased sensitivity of the strip patch test versus the patch test.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Caspase 1 / biosynthesis
  • Caspase 1 / genetics
  • Chemokine CCL2 / biosynthesis
  • Chemokine CCL2 / genetics
  • Chemokine CCL5 / biosynthesis
  • Chemokine CCL5 / genetics
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Epidermis / immunology
  • Epidermis / metabolism*
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / biosynthesis
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / genetics
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins / biosynthesis
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukin-8 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-8 / genetics
  • Interleukins / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Patch Tests / methods*
  • Protein Biosynthesis / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Reverse Transcription
  • Ribosomal Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Ribosomal Proteins / genetics
  • Surgical Tape
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Up-Regulation
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins
  • CCL2 protein, human
  • CCL5 protein, human
  • CXCL8 protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Chemokine CCL5
  • Cytokines
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSPB1 protein, human
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • IL33 protein, human
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukin-8
  • Interleukins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human
  • PYCARD protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Ribosomal Proteins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • RPL38 protein, human
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Caspase 1