title: Cellular kinetics of delayed hypersensitivity test reactions to topical glucocorticosteroids.
abstract: The phenotypes of the infiltrating cells in 13 patients with delayed hypersensitivity to topical glucocorticosteroids (GCS) were studied from sequential biopsies of positive epicutaneous test reactions by using the avidin-biotin-complex (ABC) technique. Monoclonal antibodies were used to identify the cells with the following phenotypes: T3, T4/T4a, T6, T8, T9, T11, M1, Ia1 (HLA-DR), interleukin-2 receptor/T26a, and dendritic reticular cell. The cellular kinetics of GCS hypersensitivity reactions were compared with delayed hypersensitivity reactions caused by allergens not related to GCS. In both GCS and non-GCS reactions the epidermal dendritic T6+ cells were more numerous than dendritic Ia1+ cells. There was a decrease in the number of both cell types during these reactions; in GCS reactions the decrease in the number of T6+ cells was seen later than in non-GCS reactions. Ia1+ keratinocytes were seen at sites near dermal infiltrates. Compared with the non-GCS delayed hypersensitivity reaction, there were fewer pan T (T11+/T3+) in the GCS reaction. The relative numbers of M1+ monocytes and the T4/T8 ratio were substantially lower in the latter; these findings can be explained as a GCS effect which modulates the delayed type hypersensitivity reaction.
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001706:Biopsy; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007509:Irritants; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000032:analysis; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000009:adverse effects; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007509:Irritants; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic