Open AccessApplication of leukotriene B4 and reflectance confocal microscopy as a noninvasive in vivo model to study the dynamics of skin inflammation
Author(s) -
Peppelman M.,
Wolberink E. A. W.,
Gerritsen M.J. P.,
Kerkhof P. C. M.,
Erp P. E. J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/srt.12181
Subject(s) - in vivo , confocal microscopy , confocal , stratum corneum , epidermis (zoology) , leukotriene b4 , pathology , dermis , h&e stain , microscopy , chemistry , inflammation , biomedical engineering , immunohistochemistry , medicine , anatomy , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , optics , physics
Background Application of leukotriene B4 ( LTB 4) is an established in vivo model that locally induces skin inflammation. Currently in this model, a biopsy is inevitable. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy ( RCM ), a noninvasive imaging technique, could overcome this limitation. To find out to what extent RCM may be an in vivo investigative and diagnostic tool in neutrophilic conditions, we studied the dynamics of polymorphonuclear leukocytes ( PMN ) migration from dermis to stratum corneum using an established LTB 4 model. Methods Leukotriene B4 was topically applied on the skin of the lower back of seven volunteers. The skin sites were evaluated by RCM for three consecutive days with a 24 h time interval. For histological correlation, 3‐mm punch biopsies were obtained. The tissue sections were hematoxylin–eosin and immunohistochemical stained. Minimal and average epidermal thickness was measured. Results Reflectance confocal microscopy imaging showed highly reflective ill‐defined particles with a granular content throughout the epidermis 24 h after application of LTB 4. Over time, the appearance of these cells changed throughout the epidermis. Epidermal thickness increased over time, and the measurements based on the RCM images corresponded very well with the histological images. Conclusions Reflectance confocal microscopy was able to visualize PMN migration, accumulation, and degeneration over time in the used LTB 4 model. The noninvasive character and the possibility to obtain multiple in vivo images from the same location over time make that RCM in combination with this model a useful tool to study the dynamics and function of PMN in inflammatory processes in the skin.