Multiplex assessment of serum cytokine and chemokine levels in idiopathic morphea and vitamin K1-induced morphea.

The levels of 63 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were measured in the serum of four patients with idiopathic morphea and of one patient with vitamin K1-induced morphea employing a multiplex assay to identify the role of inflammatory/immunologic events in their pathogenesis. Full-thickness skin biopsies of affected skin were analyzed by histopathology. Luminex assays for 63 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were performed in the sera from four patients with idiopathic morphea and in two different samples of serum obtained in two separate occasions from one patient with vitamin K1-induced morphea. The serum values of numerous inflammatory cytokines and growth factors including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IFNβ were markedly increased in the serum of patients with idiopathic morphea, whereas, these values were normal in the serum of the patient with vitamin K1-induced morphea. In contrast, serum eotaxin levels were greater than threefold higher in the patient with vitamin K1-induced morphea compared to patients with idiopathic morphea. The results demonstrated remarkable increases in the levels of numerous cytokines and chemokines in the serum samples of all patients with idiopathic morphea indicative of a prominent role of inflammatory/immunologic events in its pathogenesis. The results also showed statistically significant differences between idiopathic morphea and vitamin K1-induced morphea suggesting that their development involves different pathogenetic mechanisms.