An enhanced response of the inflammatory marker TH2 is associated with vascular inflammation in moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD). The results of the study, published in Allergy, help connect the underlying mechanisms of AD to vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis.
The authors aimed to determine factors associated with vascular inflammation/atherosclerosis in patients with AD. They used 18-FDG PET-CT to analyze vascular inflammation in patients with AD and compared the results with healthy patients. Skin and blood immune profiles were used to determine AD-related immune biomarkers associated with vascular inflammation, and the authors also assessed levels of circulating microparticles.
Results showed correlations between vascular inflammation and TH2-related skin and blood products of AD patients. Endothelial microparticles were significantly higher in patients with severe AD, often correlating with vascular inflammation. Interestingly, the researchers also found that atherosclerosis-related markers were modulated by dupilumab.
“Vascular inflammation in AD is associated with enhanced TH2 response and clinical severity, which may explain cardiovascular comorbidities observed in select AD populations,” concluded the study authors. They also noted further study is needed to explore the modulation of vascular inflammation with systemic therapies, as seen with dupilumab. –Lisa Kuhns
Reference
Villani AP, Pavel AB, Wu J, et al. Vascular inflammation in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis is associated with enhanced Th2 response. Allergy. Published online April 18, 2021. doi:10.1111/all.14859
