Circulating extracellular vesicles as a novel source of tissue-derived biomarkers for atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and persistent inflammatory skin condition characterized by diverse disease patterns in terms of progression, appearance, and distribution. Recent advancements in transcriptomics, genomics, and proteomics have fueled interest in biomarker research within medical sciences. Given AD's complex nature and varied responses to treatments, there is a growing recognition of the need for personalized medicine approaches over conventional, one-size-fits-all therapies. Biomarkers have shown potential in stratifying AD based on factors like ethnicity, genetic mutations, disease subtype (intrinsic vs. extrinsic), associated conditions, and severity, though further characterization of key biomarkers is required.
This study investigates circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) as prospective diagnostic biomarkers for AD, motivated by their documented roles in modulating immune responses in inflammatory skin disorders. EVs offer several advantages, including their abundance in bodily fluids, cargo stability, and ease of access compared to other cellular components. The study aims to identify early and precise biomarkers for AD by detecting microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers in EVs isolated from blood serum samples, validating these findings across independent cohorts, correlating miRNA profiles with transcriptome data from skin biopsies to uncover potential regulatory connections, and exploring disease-specific alterations in EV surface proteins that differentiate AD from healthy conditions.
30 differentially expressed miRNAs, including known AD-associated candidates like mir-4508 and miR-205-5p, were successfully identified through miRNA-seq. Integration of miRNA signatures with skin biopsy transcriptome data highlighted common genes (CPE, MKI67, OMD, SLC7A5) implicated in AD pathogenesis. Finally, analysis of EV surface protein composition revealed differences in CD14, CD1c, and CD3 abundance between AD patients and healthy controls, suggesting their potential as supplementary AD biomarkers. These findings underscore the promise of blood-derived EVs as minimally invasive biomarkers for AD diagnosis, potentially enhancing or substituting existing clinical diagnostic methods.