Clinical trial NCT00001150: Induction of Suction Blisters in Patients With Urticaria, Blistering Diseases, Inflammatory Dermatoses and Neoplastic Disorders, and in Normal Volunteers
Official title: Induction of Suction Blisters in Patients With Urticaria, Blistering Diseases, Inflammatory Dermatoses and Neoplastic Disorders, and in Normal Volunteers
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Dermatitis
Healthy
Neoplasm
Urticaria
Vesiculobullous Skin Disease
Keywords: Blister Formation
Inflammatory Mediator Assay
Ultraviolet Radiation
Lead sponsor: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
Sponsor class: NIH
First posted: 1999-11-04
Enrollment: 2000
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes

Brief summary: The use of a suction blister apparatus has facilitated study of the immunologic capacity of human epidermal cells. We have been able to prepare purified populations of these cells after blister formation. Specifically, using the blister tops, we are able to enrich for epidermal Langerhans cells which are very potent stimulators in antigen presenting assays. Thus, this normal volunteer study provides an important source of fresh epidermal tissue from which we can study normal epidermal Langerhans cell function. In addition, we have recently used blister roofs in important experimental models of HIV-1 transmission. There is no other method available for assessing the biologic function of freshly isolated Langerhans cells without altering their milieu. It is a very safe and effective way to obtain human epidermal samples.

Detailed description: The use of a suction blister apparatus has facilitated study of the immunologic capacity of human epidermal cells. We have been able to prepare purified populations of these cells after blister formation. Specifically, using the blister tops, we are able to enrich for epidermal Langerhans cells which are very potent stimulators in antigen presenting assays. Thus, this normal volunteer study provides an important source of fresh epidermal tissue from which we can study normal epidermal Langerhans cell function. In addition, we have recently used blister roofs in important experimental models of HIV-1 transmission. There is no other method available for assessing the biologic function of freshly isolated Langerhans cells without altering their milieu. It is a very safe and effective way to obtain human epidermal samples.

Eligibility criteria: INCLUSION CRITERIA

Patients with urticaria of all types, blistering diseases, inflammatory dermatoses and neoplastic skin diseases.

Patients 18 years of age or older.

No pregnant women.

Primary outcomes:
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Bethesda
country: United States
facility: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
state: Maryland
Study officials:
References:
citation: Blauvelt A, Clerici M, Lucey DR, Steinberg SM, Yarchoan R, Walker R, Shearer GM, Katz SI. Functional studies of epidermal Langerhans cells and blood monocytes in HIV-infected persons. J Immunol. 1995 Apr 1;154(7):3506-15.
citation: Blauvelt A, Chougnet C, Shearer GM, Katz SI. Modulation of T cell responses to recall antigens presented by Langerhans cells in HIV-discordant identical twins by anti-interleukin (IL)-10 antibodies and IL-12. J Clin Invest. 1996 Mar 15;97(6):1550-5. doi: 10.1172/JCI118578.
citation: Zaitseva M, Blauvelt A, Lee S, Lapham CK, Klaus-Kovtun V, Mostowski H, Manischewitz J, Golding H. Expression and function of CCR5 and CXCR4 on human Langerhans cells and macrophages: implications for HIV primary infection. Nat Med. 1997 Dec;3(12):1369-75. doi: 10.1038/nm1297-1369.