Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma and Pruritus: The Expression of IL-31 and its Receptors in the Skin

Acta Derm Venereol. 2016 Nov 2;96(7):894-898. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2417.

Abstract

Approximately 88% of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients are affected by pruritus that responds poorly to current antipruritic therapies. Interleukin (IL)-31, a Th2 cytokine, has been found to be increased in the serum of CTCL patients and to correlate with itch severity. This study investigated the role of IL-31 and its receptors (IL-31 receptor-alpha [IL-31RA] and OSMRβ) in the skin of CTCL patients with mild versus moderate/severe pruritus. Expression levels of IL-31, IL-31RA, and OSMRβ in the skin were measured using immunohistochemistry and correlated to pruritus severity and disease stage. In CTCL patients with moderate/severe pruritus, IL-31 was significantly elevated in the epidermis and dermal infiltrate, while IL-31RA and OSMRβ were significantly elevated only in the epidermis. Furthermore, epidermal IL-31 levels correlated to itch severity. These results show that IL-31 may play a role in CTCL pruritus by exerting indirect effects on sensory nerves through epidermal neoplastic T cells and keratinocytes to transmit itch.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Interleukins / metabolism*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Oncostatin M Receptor beta Subunit / metabolism*
  • Pruritus / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Interleukin / metabolism*
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • IL31 protein, human
  • IL31RA protein, human
  • Interleukins
  • OSMR protein, human
  • Oncostatin M Receptor beta Subunit
  • Receptors, Interleukin