Lesional expression of interferon-gamma in atopic eczema.
Atopic eczema is thought to be caused by skin-infiltrating CD4 T cells of the Th1-like and/or Th2-like subtype. We assessed expression of the Th1-like cytokine, interferon-gamma, and the Th2-like cytokine, interleukin-4, in lesional atopic skin. Compared with that in normal skin, interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 mRNA expression were increased in eczematous skin lesions in 13 and 4 of 15 patients, respectively. After successful therapy of atopic dermatitis, the increased interferon-gamma mRNA expression but not the increased interleukin-4 mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated. These data indicate that in-situ expression of interferon-gamma is linked to the clinical course of atopic dermatitis.
Grewe
M
M
Department of Dermatology, University of Freiburg, Germany.
Gyufko
K
K
Schöpf
E
E
Krutmann
J
J
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma