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Filaggrin expression in chronic idiopathic urticaria linked to severity of condition

Filaggrin expression might be a novel biomarker for chronic idiopathic urticaria severity; and altered filaggrin expression has physiologic effects on transepidermal water loss and pH in the skin of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria, recently published data suggest.

The researchers collected skin biopsies from 16 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), 11 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), and 14 healthy controls.

Data indicated that the FLG gene expression was significantly greater in patients with CIU vs. AD (P<.01), according to Young-Min Ye, MD, of the department of pediatrics at the National Jewish Health in Denver, and the department of allergy and clinical immunology at Ajou University School of Medicine in South Korea, and colleagues.

In addition, the staining intensity of filaggrin was significantly greater in patients with CIU vs. healthy controls (P<.01) and AD (P<.001).

They also observed a significant correlation between filaggrin staining intensity and urticaria activity scores among patients with CIU (P<.05), according to researchers.

“In addition, [transepidermal water loss] was increased in patients with AD compared with normal controls, and there was no difference in TEWL between patients with CIU and normal controls,” they wrote.

Moreover, skin pH levels were significantly lower in patients with CIU vs. healthy controls (P<.01), and patients with AD (P<.001), according to data.

These findings suggest that modulating filaggrin expression should be examined as a potential alternative treatment for patients with severe CIU, researchers concluded.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.