Immunohistochemical localization of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in skin lesions from patients with urticaria pigmentosa.

Using the indirect immunofluorescence technique of Coons and collaborates, somatostatin-like immunoreactivity was found in skin lesions of patients presented with urticaria pigmentosa. The cytoplasmic immunoreactivity was sometimes of a granular type. In addition, immunofluorescence was also observed in certain surrounding connective tissue elements. No specific staining was seen when supplementing the first antiserum with control serum, nor could any unique specific immunofluorescence by found in the pathological areas (compared with skin of normal healthy volunteers) after incubation with antibodies to substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or avian pancreatic polypeptide. No thyrotropin releasing hormone or enkephalin immunoreactivity was seen in skin from either the patients or the controls.