Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory skin disease. It is characterized by a defective skin barrier and a Th2 dominated skin inflammation. The TNF family member a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and its receptors transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) and B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) are expressed by immune cells and epithelial cells including keratinocytes. We demonstrate that APRIL expression is upregulated in the epidermis of skin lesions from patients with AD as well as in mouse skin undergoing allergic inflammation elicited by epicutaneous (EC) sensitization with the antigen ovalbumin. We show that APRIL from OVA sensitized mouse skin causes keratinocytes to upregulate the expression of IL-6, an inflammatory cytokine implicated in AD pathogenesis. These results suggest a role for APRIL in allergic skin inflammation and a potential role for APRIL blockade in treating AD.

特应性皮炎 (AD) 是最常见的炎症性皮肤病。它的特征是有缺陷的皮肤屏障和 Th2 主导的皮肤炎症。TNF 家族成员增殖诱导配体 (APRIL) 及其受体跨膜激活剂和钙调节剂和亲环蛋白配体相互作用剂 (TACI) 和 B 细胞成熟抗原 (BCMA) 由免疫细胞和上皮细胞（包括角质形成细胞）表达。我们证明 APRIL 表达在 AD 患者皮肤病变的表皮中以及在经历过敏性炎症的小鼠皮肤中上调，这些炎症是由抗原卵清蛋白的表皮 (EC) 致敏引起的。我们发现来自 OVA 致敏小鼠皮肤的 APRIL 会导致角质形成细胞上调 IL-6 的表达，IL-6 是一种与 AD 发病机制有关的炎性细胞因子。