Expression of Fas Receptor and Fas Ligand in Eczematous Dermatitis

Background: The principal role of epidermal keratinocytes (KCs) in inducing and maintaining eczematous dermatitis has been rather neglected. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the expression of Fas receptor (FasR)andFas ligand (FasL) in the skin of eczematous dermatitis patients to examine T-cell mediated KC apoptosis. Methods: The population included 35 patients with eczematous dermatitis, as well as 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The cases group included 13 eczema, five atopic dermatitis (AD) and 17 contact dermatitis (CD) patients. Tissue levels of FasR and FasL were estimated using a quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction. Results: FasR and FasL were upregulated in the cases group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Moreover, FasR and FasL were upregulated in the eczema cases compared to the cases with CD and AD (P = 0.001). On the contrary, there was downregulation of FasR and FasL in the CD cases in comparison to the cases having eczema and AD (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The study concluded that the upregulation of FasR and FasL may be involved in the pathogenesis of eczema through induction of KC apoptosis. This might help in the future use of anti-apoptotic therapy for prevention and treatment of eczematous dermatitis.