Cutaneous CD30+cells in children with atopic dermatitis

Background: CD30 expression can be considered a marker of Th2 cells. We inv estigated the presence of CD30+ cells in the lesional skin of children with atopic dermatitis (AD). We also analyzed the possible relationship between CD30+ cells and serum soluble CD 30 (sCD30) levels, and IgE, soluble inter leukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (sIL-2R) or soluble CD23 (sCD23) levels in the blo od, and clinical score. Methods: Ten eczematous children (4 males, 6 female s; median age: 4 years and 5 months; range: 11 months to 14 years), 9 sex- and age-matched control children and an adult control group were studied. A clinical score (SCORAD index), was given to eczematous lesions. Blood was taken for the determination of IgE, sCD30, sIL-2R and sCD23 levels. Punch b iopsies of lesional skin were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or incubat ed with anti-CD30 monoclonal antibodies. Skin prick tests (SPTs) were also performed. Results: In the biopsy specimens, CD30 expression was observed i n high proportions of infiltrating cells. In children with AD, total serum IgE, sCD30, sIL-2R, sCD23 and eosinophils were significantly elevated compa red to controls. CD30+ cells were not associated with serum IgE, sCD30, sIL -2R, sCD23, or SPT results, score of inflammatory cells in lesional skin or clinical score. Children with AD who had high total IgE and specific IgE a ntibodies did not differ from those with normal total IgE and negative spec ific IgE in respect of age, clinical score, number of CD30+ cells, sCD30, s IL-2R and sCD23 levels, score of inflammatory cells in skin or clinical sco re. Conclusion: Our results showed remarkable numbers of CD30+ cells in the lesional skin and high sCD30 in the serum of children with AD. CD30+ cells did not correlate with systemic markers of IgE reaction. (C) 2000 S. Karge r AG, Basel.