title: Immunopathology of polymorphous light eruption. T lymphocytes in blood and skin.
abstract: Polymorphous light eruption (PLE; actinic prurigo) is a relatively common dermatologic disease. People suffering from it have a pruritic skin eruption on exposed areas. PLE may be an immunologically mediated disease. Sixteen patients with PLE were studied. T lymphocytes and the helper and suppressor-cytotoxic subsets were assessed in peripheral blood by an indirect immunofluorescent method with the use of monoclonal antibodies. Total T lymphocytes were significantly increased as compared to controls. By an indirect immunoperoxidase technic with the use of monoclonal antibodies, characterization of the dermal cell infiltrate was done. Predominance of T total, T helper, and cells marked with Ia antigen were found. These findings suggest that an abnormal immune response is responsible for the tissue damage in PLE.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal