Decreased Levels of Sphingosine, a Natural Antimicrobial Agent, may be Associated with Vulnerability of the Stratum Corneum from Patients with Atopic Dermatitis to Colonization by Staphylococcus aureus  Junko Arikawa, Mutsumi Ishibashi, Makoto Kawashima, Yutaka Takagi, Yoshiaki Ichikawa, Genji Imokawa  Journal of Investigative Dermatology  Volume 119, Issue 2, Pages 433-439 (August 2002) DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01846.x Copyright © 2002 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Comparison of the numbers of S. aureus and other surface bacteria colonies on the surface of the skin of healthy control subjects and patients with AD. (A) S. aureus; (B) other surface bacteria. The numbers of colonies were counted using the stamp technique and are expressed as the number per 20 cm2. Control, healthy control subjects; NL, nonlesional skin of patients with AD; L, lesional skin of patients with AD. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2002 119, 433-439DOI: (10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01846.x) Copyright © 2002 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 Quantitation of sphingosine levels in the upper stratum corneum of patients with AD or healthy controls. Sphingosine was quantified by radio-labeling with [14C]-acetic anhydride, followed by separation using radio-thin layer chromatography. ****p <0.001. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2002 119, 433-439DOI: (10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01846.x) Copyright © 2002 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions

Figure 3 Comparison of sphingosine levels in AD groups according to different colony numbers. (A)S. aureus; (B) surface bacteria. *p <0.05, ****p <0.001. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2002 119, 433-439DOI: (10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01846.x) Copyright © 2002 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions

Figure 4 Comparison of acid CDase activity in AD groups according to different colony numbers. (A)S. aureus; (B) surface bacteria. ***p <0.005, ****p <0.001. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2002 119, 433-439DOI: (10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01846.x) Copyright © 2002 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions

Figure 5 Comparison of alkaline CDase activity in AD groups according to different colony numbers. (A)S. aureus; (B) surface bacteria. NS, not significant. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2002 119, 433-439DOI: (10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01846.x) Copyright © 2002 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions

Figure 6 Correlation between levels of sphingosine and acid CDase activity in the upper stratum corneum. Lesional skin of AD patients, n = 18; nonlesional skin of AD patients, n = 17; healthy control skin, n = 17. Total n = 52, r = 0.65, p <0.01. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2002 119, 433-439DOI: (10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01846.x) Copyright © 2002 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions

Figure 7 Correlation between levels of sphingosine and ceramide in the upper stratum corneum. Lesional skin of AD patients, n = 19; nonlesional skin of AD patients, n = 20; healthy control skin, n = 19. Total n = 58, r = 0.70, p <0.01. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2002 119, 433-439DOI: (10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01846.x) Copyright © 2002 The Society for Investigative Dermatology, Inc Terms and Conditions