Pruritus in ordinary scabies: IL-31 from macrophages induced by overexpression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and periostin.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Scabies is a common contagious skin disease caused by an infestation of the skin by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. A hallmark symptom of scabies is severe itch.

METHODS:

We sought to determine the generation of a pruritogenic cytokine, interleukin (IL)-31, together with immune profiles in skin lesions of ordinary scabies through immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent studies. To elucidate the pathological mechanisms of IL-31 generation, murine peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with various T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines and proteins ex vivo.

RESULTS:

A large number of CCR4(+) Th2 cells, eosinophils, and basophils infiltrated in scabies lesions. Increased generation of IL-31, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and periostin was also observed. A major population of IL-31(+) cells were Arginase-1(+)/CD163(+) M2 macrophages. Murine peritoneal macrophages showed an M2 phenotype and generated IL-31 when stimulated with TSLP and periostin.

CONCLUSION:

IL-31 appeared to be largely generated by M2 macrophages in ordinary scabies lesions. This IL-31 induction was mediated by TSLP and periostin.

• Authors: Takashi Hashimoto, Takahiro Satoh, Hiroo Yokozeki
• Journal: Allergy (Allergy) Vol. 74 Issue 9 Pg. 1727-1737 (09 2019) ISSN: 1398-9995 [Electronic] Denmark
• PMID: 31087686 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2019 EAACI and John Wiley and Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Cell Adhesion Molecules
• Cytokines
• IL31 protein, human
• Interleukins
• POSTN protein, human
• Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin

Topics

• Animals
• Basophils (immunology, metabolism)
• Cell Adhesion Molecules (genetics)
• Cytokines (genetics, metabolism)
• Epidermal Cells (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukins (metabolism)
• Macrophages (metabolism)
• Macrophages, Peritoneal (immunology, metabolism)
• Mast Cells (immunology, metabolism)
• Mice
• Pruritus (diagnosis, etiology)
• Scabies (diagnosis, etiology)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Th2 Cells (immunology, metabolism)
• Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin