Chitinase-3-like Protein 1 (YKL-40) Is Expressed in Lesional Skin in Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Background/aim: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic disease. Recently, we suggested, chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) as a new biomarker for HS since its serum levels were found to be elevated in patients. The objective of this study was to examine YKL-40 tissue expression in HS.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 7 patients with HS. The biopsies were obtained from lesional and non-lesional skin. The tissue expression of YKL-40 was assessed using an immunohistochemical method.
Results: Inflammatory infiltrates of various grades were visible in all samples of lesional skin. The inflammatory cells within those infiltrates showed a strong cytoplasmic expression of YKL-40. In non-lesional HS skin the pattern of YKL-40 expression was similar to that observed in healthy skin.
Conclusion: Inflammatory infiltrates in HS skin lesions may be responsible for the elevated YKL-40 serum level. YKL-40 can be considered one of the most valuable biomarkers of HS.
(Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)