An immunofluorescent technique combined with tape-stripping was used to measure scTARC. The scTARC can be used as an indicator of the severity of local acute inflammation in patients with AD.

Summary Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is known for its capacity to induce CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells to promote T helper type 2 (Th2)-skewed inflammatory responses. Although increased expression of TSLP was reported in the lesional skin of limited numbers of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), the relationships between the degree of TSLP expression in the skin and the severity of AD, epidermal barrier function and eruption type remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between the degree of TSLP expression in the skin and the severity of AD, eruption type and epidermal barrier function using a non-invasive method in a sizeable group of the patients. Stratum corneum tissue was obtained from AD patients by tape stripping, and the stratum corneum TSLP (scTSLP) expression level was evaluated using a TSLP-specific antibody followed by image analysis. The correlations between the scTSLP intensity and the severity scoring of AD (SCORAD) index and epidermal barrier function, such as stratum corneum hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), were analysed. The changes in the scTSLP level induced by the application of moisturizer were also examined. The scTSLP expression level was increased in AD patients compared with healthy subjects and was correlated with SCORAD, especially with the dry skin score, and stratum corneum hydration. Moisturizer application resulted in reduced scTSLP levels. The scTSLP level can be used as a biomarker of AD severity and particularly epidermal barrier status.

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Cosmetic moisturisers were applied to one side of the face of 18 male Japanese patients with acne vulgaris who were treated with a topical administration of adapalene and clindamycin phosphate gels. We assessed the alleviating effect of the moisturisers on the side effects of the treatment. The severity of acne and the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions were measured at 0, 2, and 4 weeks. The water content in the stratum corneum and transepidermal water loss were measured by comparing the moisturiser-treated and untreated sides of the face. The sensation of skin dryness and irritation on both sides of the face were assessed by the subjects. We observed that the use of moisturisers did not impact the efficacy of the standard topical treatment and they significantly improved the water content in the stratum corneum and the sensation of dryness. These results suggested that the use of moisturisers in combination with the standard topical treatment may improve adherence to therapy by alleviating the sensation of dryness.