title: Immunophenotyping of the cutaneous infiltrate and of the mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood in patients with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Fourteen adult patients with chronic atopic dermatitis and active skin lesions had a skin biopsy and venous blood sample taken on the same day. Absolute numbers of circulating lymphocytes were normal in all patients. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis revealed normal numbers of total T lymphocytes and T-helper and T-suppressor subsets (helper:suppressor ratio, 2:1) in the atopic patients' peripheral blood, but an increase in circulating B lymphocytes and in HLA-D-related antigen-bearing cells. The skin biopsy showed a dermal infiltrate of predominantly T-helper lymphocytes (helper:suppressor ratio, 7:1). These cells showed strong HLA-DR plasma membrane staining. There was no HLA-DR staining in the membranes of epidermal keratinocytes. Using a monoclonal antihuman IgE, positive staining was observed in the dermis, though none was identified in the epidermis. The dermal anti-IgE staining was concentrated around clusters of T lymphocytes.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lever
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turbitt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanderson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: MacKie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E