A study conducted at the Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science at Kanazawa, and the Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, at Nagasaki, Japan, determined the serum levels of B-cell-activating factor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) and the proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). The results from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays performed in patients with AD (n=35), psoriasis vulgaris (n=25), systemic lupus erythematosus (n=25) and in healthy subjects (n=25) revealed increased serum levels of APRIL, but not BAFF, in patients with AD when compared to healthy participants and patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Moreover, elevated APRIL levels were associated with immunoglobulin E levels and blood eosinophil counts, ...