H L Tey1,2, T Cao1, L A Nattkemper3, V W D Tan1, Z A D Pramono1, G Yosipovitch3. 1. National Skin Centre, 1 Mandalay Road, 308205, Singapore. 2. Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore. 3. Department of Dermatology and Temple Itch Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) is a chronic pruritic dermatosis prevalent among Southern Chinese and South American populations. Pruritus is frequently present and can be debilitating; its pathophysiology is largely unknown. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if small-fibre neuropathy (SFN), which results in a reduction of intraepidermal nerve fibres (IENF) and abnormalities in quantitative thermal sensory testing (QST), is present in PLCA. METHODS: Twenty Chinese patients (10 men) and 20 ethnicity-, sex- and age-matched controls underwent QST assessments. The patients' warm detection threshold (WDT) and heat pain threshold at the typical lesional sites were determined. Serum interleukin (IL)-31 levels were measured. Lesional biopsies were stained for IENF, IL-31 and its receptor's subunits [IL-31RA and oncostatin M receptor-β (OSMRβ)], and nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor [tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA)], and were compared with normal skin obtained from archival paraffin-embedded specimens. RESULTS: WDT was significantly higher in patients at all sites and correlated with itch scores (r = 0·59; P < 0·01). Patient biopsies revealed lower IENF counts (P < 0·01 using protein gene product 9.5, β3-tubulin and Neurofilament 200 stains) and increased epidermal expression of OSMRβ (P < 0·01) and IL-31RA (P < 0·01). Cutaneous IL-31, NGF and TrkA stains were not significantly increased in patients. Serum IL-31 was not significantly higher in patients. CONCLUSIONS: SFN is present in PLCA. Pruritus in PLCA is likely associated with hypersensitivity of cutaneous nerve fibres, which may be related to an increased expression of epidermal IL-31 receptors. Targeting IL-31 receptors is therefore a potential therapeutic approach.
BACKGROUND: Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) is a chronic pruritic dermatosis prevalent among Southern Chinese and South American populations. Pruritus is frequently present and can be debilitating; its pathophysiology is largely unknown. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if small-fibre neuropathy (SFN), which results in a reduction of intraepidermal nerve fibres (IENF) and abnormalities in quantitative thermal sensory testing (QST), is present in PLCA. METHODS: Twenty Chinese patients (10 men) and 20 ethnicity-, sex- and age-matched controls underwent QST assessments. The patients' warm detection threshold (WDT) and heat pain threshold at the typical lesional sites were determined. Serum interleukin (IL)-31 levels were measured. Lesional biopsies were stained for IENF, IL-31 and its receptor's subunits [IL-31RA and oncostatin M receptor-β (OSMRβ)], and nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor [tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA)], and were compared with normal skin obtained from archival paraffin-embedded specimens. RESULTS: WDT was significantly higher in patients at all sites and correlated with itch scores (r = 0·59; P < 0·01). Patient biopsies revealed lower IENF counts (P < 0·01 using protein gene product 9.5, β3-tubulin and Neurofilament 200 stains) and increased epidermal expression of OSMRβ (P < 0·01) and IL-31RA (P < 0·01). Cutaneous IL-31, NGF and TrkA stains were not significantly increased in patients. Serum IL-31 was not significantly higher in patients. CONCLUSIONS:SFN is present in PLCA. Pruritus in PLCA is likely associated with hypersensitivity of cutaneous nerve fibres, which may be related to an increased expression of epidermal IL-31 receptors. Targeting IL-31 receptors is therefore a potential therapeutic approach.