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Elevated serum galectin‐9 levels in patients with atopic dermatitis
Author(s) -
Nakajima Rina,
Miyagaki Tomomitsu,
Oka Tomonori,
Nakao Momoko,
Kawaguchi Makiko,
Suga Hiraku,
Morimura Sohshi,
Kai Hiromichi,
Asano Yoshihide,
Tada Yayoi,
Kadono Takafumi,
Sato Shinichi,
Sugaya Makoto
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/1346-8138.12884
Subject(s) - galectin , immunohistochemistry , galectin 3 , atopic dermatitis , medicine , immunology , eosinophilia , mast cell , pathology
Galectin‐9 is a member of the galectin family that has a wide spectrum of biological functions. Among them, galectin‐9 has been known mainly as a potent chemoattractant for eosinophils. In addition, galectin‐9 alters the T‐cell balance by negatively regulating T‐helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells, resulting in Th2 polarization. Atopic dermatitis ( AD ) is a skin allergic disease characterized by peripheral eosinophilia, mast cell activation and predominance of Th2 cells. To investigate possible roles of galectin‐9 in AD , we measured serum galectin‐9 levels in AD patients and investigated galectin‐9 expression in lesional skin by immunohistochemistry. Serum galectin‐9 levels in patients with AD were significantly higher than those in healthy controls and correlated with the Eczema Area and Severity Index. Serum galectin‐9 levels were decreased after treatment, accompanied by improvement of skin lesions. Immunohistochemical study revealed that galectin‐9 was expressed on epidermal keratinocytes and mast cells in lesional skin of AD . Our results suggest that elevated galectin‐9 expression is associated with progression of AD and that galectin‐9 could be a therapeutic target in AD .