Title |
Atopic dermatitis and cathepsin E
|
---|---|
Published in |
Folia Pharmacologica Japonica, January 2003
|
DOI | 10.1254/fpj.122.15 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Takayuki Tsukuba, Kenji Yamamoto |
Abstract |
Cathepsin E is an intracellular aspartic proteinase expressed predominantly in immune cells and skin. We show that cathepsin E-deficient mice spontaneously develop atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions comparable to human AD when kept under conventional circumstances, but not under specific pathogen-free conditions. These mice displayed AD-associated phenotypes including eosinophilia; increased serum IgE, IL-18, and IL-1beta; and enhanced production of Th2 cytokines. Cathepsin E deficiency also resulted in greater decrease of the rate of degradation for serum IL-18 and IL-1beta. Interestingly, cathepsin E levels in blood cells were significantly decreased in AD patients and the AD model NC/Nga mice compared to healthy donors and the control mice, respectively. Our results indicate that deficiency or defective production of cathepsin E strongly induces AD in humans and mice, probably due to the systemic accumulation of IL-18 and IL-1beta, leading to stimulation of Th2 responses, and that cathepsin E-deficient mice are a newly discovered model to analyze pathologic mechanisms of human AD. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 3 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Professor | 1 | 33% |
Researcher | 1 | 33% |
Student > Postgraduate | 1 | 33% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 1 | 33% |
Unknown | 2 | 67% |