Site-Specific Analysis of Inflammatory Markers in Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Skin

Abstract EN

Prior studies identified T cells, B cells, and macrophages in the inflammatory infiltrate and up-regulation of their protein products in discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) skin; however, they lacked rigorous analyses to define their specific locations in skin.

Thus, we compared expressions of selected T cell, B cell, and macrophage markers in five areas of DLE, psoriasis, and normal skin.

Immunostainings for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, CXCR3, CXCL10, and TIA-1 were performed in biopsies of 23 DLE lesional skin, 11 psoriasis lesional skin, and 5 normal skin.

Three independent observers used a graded scale to rate each marker’s presence in the epidermis, dermatoepidermal junction (DEJ), perivascular area, periadnexal area, and deep dermis.

DLE lesional skin contained an increased abundance of CD3+, CD8+, and CD68+ cells at the DEJ, and CD20+ and CD68+ cells in the periadnexal area versus psoriasis and normal skin.

CXCR3, CXCL10, and TIA-1 were elevated in periadnexal sites of DLE lesional skin versus psoriasis lesional skin.

The aggregation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, and their protein products (CXCR3, CXCL10, and TIA-1) in the DEJ and periadnexal area of DLE lesional skin may contribute to the pathology of DLE through a coordinated, sophisticated process.