Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 39796069 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26010211
Differential Expression of Proteins Involved in Skin Barrier Maintenance and Vitamin D Metabolism in Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional, Exploratory Study.
Int J Mol Sci 26(1)
Authors: Teresa Grieco, Giovanni Paolino, Elisa Moliterni, Camilla Chello, Alvise Sernicola, Colin Gerard Egan, Mariangela Morelli, Fabrizio Nannipieri, Santina Battaglia, Marina Accoto, Erika Tirotta, Silvia Trasciatti, Silvano Bonaretti, Giovanni Pellacani, Stefano Calvieri
Affiliations
- Dermatology Clinic, Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
- Unit of Dermatology and Cosmetology, IRCCS University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy.
- CE Medical Writing Srls, 56021 Pisa, Italy.
- Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, 56017 Pisa, Italy.
- Clinical Research, Abiogen Pharma SpA, 56121 Pisa, Italy.
- Galileo Research Srl, 56019 Pisa, Italy.
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder influenced by proteins involved in skin barrier maintenance and vitamin D metabolism. Using an intra-patient design, this study compared protein expression in intra-lesional (IL) and peri-lesional (PL) skin biopsies from AD patients and examined associations between protein levels, vitamin D status, and clinical features. Forty-four biopsies from twenty-two AD patients were analyzed using antibody microarrays targeting twelve proteins. IL samples had significantly higher total protein levels than PL samples, with a mean difference of 77.7% ( < 0.001). Several proteins, including cathelicidin, cingulin, occludin, filaggrin, and the vitamin D receptor, were upregulated in IL samples. Patients with vitamin D levels below 30 ng/mL showed higher expression of CYP24A ( = 0.054), alpha-catenin ( = 0.043), and haptoglobin ( = 0.033). Increased EASI scores (≥16) were associated with elevated expression of CYP24A ( = 0.024), CYP27B ( = 0.044), filaggrin ( = 0.027), occludin ( = 0.049), and claudin-1 ( = 0.052). Multivariate regression analysis identified significant correlations between protein expression, skin prick test positivity, and low vitamin D levels. These findings suggest that proteins related to epithelial barrier function and vitamin D metabolism are highly upregulated in IL skin regions, offering potential therapeutic targets for improving both skin barrier function and overall disease severity in AD patients.
MeSH
Skin, Vitamin D, Dermatitis, Vitamins, Biopsy, Maintenance, Occludin, Dermatitis, Atopic