Positive association between pruritus and high expression of CCL17, CCL22 and substance P in bullous pemphigoid lesions

Abstract

Objective To investigate association between CCL17, CCL22 and substance P (SP) and pruritus in patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) pruritus. Methods Clinical data of 30 patients and 10 healthy controls were collected. Pruritus was assessed by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Expressions of CCL17, CCL22, and SP in the epidermis and dermis of the BP group and control group was detected by immunohistochemistry, and in the BP group to determine whether there is a correlation with pruritus. Results Higher expressions of CCL17, CCL22, and SP in the epidermis and dermis of patients with BP were found when compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). CCL17 was positively correlated with NRS score in patients with BP patients (r=0.79, P<0.05; r=0.51, P<0.05); CCL22 in the epidermis and substance P in thedermis positively correlated with NRS score (r=0.47, P<0.05; r=0.43, P<0.05). Conclusion CCL17 in epidermis and dermis, CCL22 in epidermis and SP in dermis positively correlate with the degree of pruritus in BP patients.

Keywords

• bullous pemphigoid
• ccl17
• ccl22
• substance p
• pruritus