Results
We detected 4,104 (2,513 Up; 1,591 Down) and 1,273 (546 Up; 727 Down)
DEGs in AD versus controls, in tape-strips and biopsies, respectively.
Although both techniques captured dysregulation of key immune genes,
tape-strips showed higher FCHs for innate immunity (IL-1B, IL-8),
dendritic cell (ITGAX/CD11C, FCER1A), Th2 (IL-13, CCL17, TNFRSF4/OX40),
and Th17 (CCL20, CXCL1) products, while biopsies showed higher
up-regulation of Th22 associated genes (IL-22, S100As) and dermal
cytokines (IFN-γ, CCL26). Itch-related genes (IL-31, TRPV3) were
preferentially captured by tape-strips. Epidermal barrier abnormalities
were detected in both techniques, with terminal differentiation defects
(FLG2, PSORS1C2) better represented by tape-strips and epidermal
hyperplasia changes (KRT16, MKI67) better detected by biopsies.