The possible role of lactoferrin in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.

Zorina V.N., Burdina A.V., Korotkiy N.G., Shkolnikova T.V., Zorin N.A.

We have investigated the levels of polyfunctional protein lactoferrin (Lf), which is a component of innate immunity, in sera of adults with IgE"associated and IgE"nonassociated atopic dermatitis (AD) in acute stage. It was discovered, that the concentrations of Lf in circulation at atopic dermatitis were significantly higher than in healthy donors. The significance of these changes depends on the form of disease " it was more remarkable at IgE"associated process, than in the presence of low IgE levels. We also had detected more significant increase of IL"8 levels at IgE"associated AD, and of alpha"2" macroglobulin, alpha"1"antitrypsin concentrations at IgE" nonassociated process. We suggest that revealed differences proves remarkable role of Lf in pathogenesis of AD and can be used as additional diagnostic or prognostic tool.