L. Skov, J. V. Olsen, M. Ramm, O. Baadsgaard
DOI: 10.1080/000155500750012432

Lesional skin in patients with inflammatory skin diseases is often colonized with Staphylococcus aureus , which is capable of releasing superantigens. We therefore studied whether application of superantigen on the skin led to release of cytokines, especially IL-1β. Suction blisters were raised on vehicle- and superantigen-treated skin and IL-1β protein levels measured in suction blister fluid and supernatant from blister roofs. In all volunteers studied, application of the superantigen Staphylococcal enterotoxin B led to increased release of IL-1β protein from suction blister roofs (n =7). In contrast, we did not detect any difference in IL-1β in the blister fluid (n =5). IL-1β is known as a mediator of inflammation, and the increase in IL-1β may be involved in the aggravation of inflammatory skin diseases seen following Staphylococcus aureus colonization.