Application of leukotriene B4 and reflectance confocal microscopy as a noninvasive in vivo model to study the dynamics of skin inflammation. Issue 2 (26th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peppelman, M.; Wolberink, E. A. W.; Gerritsen, M.‐J. P.; van de Kerkhof, P. C. M.; van Erp, P. E. J.
• Is Part Of: Skin research and technology. Volume 21:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 232
• Page End: 240
• Publication Date: 2014-08-26
• Subjects: Skin -- Research -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Skin -- Physiology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/srt.12181
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0909-752X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="srt12181-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="srt12181-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Application of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is an established <italic>in vivo</italic> model that locally induces skin inflammation. Currently in this model, a biopsy is inevitable. <italic>In vivo</italic> reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), a noninvasive imaging technique, could overcome this limitation. To find out to what extent RCM may be an <italic>in vivo</italic> investigative and diagnostic tool in neutrophilic conditions, we studied the dynamics of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) migration from dermis to stratum corneum using an established LTB4 model.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt12181-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Leukotriene B4 was topically applied on the skin of the lower back of seven volunteers. The skin sites were evaluated by RCM for three consecutive days with a 24 h time interval. For histological correlation, 3‐mm punch biopsies were obtained. The tissue sections were hematoxylin–eosin and immunohistochemical stained. Minimal and average epidermal thickness was measured.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt12181-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Reflectance confocal microscopy imaging showed highly reflective ill‐defined particles with a granular content throughout the epidermis 24 h after application of LTB4. Over time, the appearance of these cells changed throughout the epidermis. Epidermal thickness increased over time, and the measurements based on the RCM images corresponded very well with the histological images.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt12181-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Reflectance confocal microscopy was able to visualize PMN migration, accumulation, and degeneration over time in the used LTB4 model. The noninvasive character and the possibility to obtain multiple <italic>in vivo</italic> images from the same location over time make that RCM in combination with this model a useful tool to study the dynamics and function of PMN in inflammatory processes in the skin.</p> </sec> </abstract>