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Early‐life regional and temporal variation in filaggrin‐derived natural moisturizing factor, filaggrin‐processing enzyme activity, corneocyte phenotypes and plasmin activity: implications for atopic dermatitis
Author(s) -
McAleer M.A.,
Jakasa I.,
Raj N.,
O'Donnell C.P.F.,
Lane M.E.,
Rawlings A.V.,
Voegeli R.,
McLean W.H.I.,
Kezic S.,
Irvine A.D.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.16691
Subject(s) - filaggrin , corneocyte , plasmin , atopic dermatitis , medicine , cheek , stratum corneum , dermatology , immunology , biology , pathology , biochemistry , enzyme , anatomy
Summary Background Filaggrin is central to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis ( AD ). The cheeks are a common initiation site of infantile AD . Regional and temporal expression of levels of filaggrin degradation products [natural moisturizing factors ( NMF s)], activities of filaggrin‐processing enzymes [bleomycin hydrolase ( BH ) and calpain‐1 (C‐1)] and plasmin, and corneocyte envelope ( CE ) maturity in early life are largely unknown. Objectives We conducted a cross‐sectional, observational study investigating regional and age‐dependent variations in NMF levels, activity of proteases and CE maturity in stratum corneum ( SC ) from infants to determine whether these factors could explain the observed predilection sites for AD in early life. Methods We measured NMF using a tape‐stripping method at seven sites in the SC of 129 children (aged < 12 months to 72 months) and in three sites in 56 neonates and infants (< 48 h to 3 months). In 37 of these neonates and infants, corneocyte size, maturity, BH , C‐1 and plasmin activities were determined. Results NMF levels are low at birth and increase with age. Cheek SC , compared with elbow flexure and nasal tip, has the lowest NMF in the first year of life and is the slowest to reach stable levels. Cheek corneocytes remain immature. Plasmin, BH and C‐1 activities are all elevated by 1 month of age in exposed cheek skin, but not in elbow skin. Conclusions Regional and temporal differences in NMF levels, CE maturity and protease activities may explain the predilection for AD to affect the cheeks initially and are supportive of this site as key for allergen priming in early childhood. These observations will help design early intervention and treatment strategies for AD .