Role of IgE in atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with elevated serum IgE levels and sensitization to a variety of inhalant, food and microbial allergens. Controlled challenges have provided substantial evidence that allergens can trigger acute IgE-mediated mast-cell dependent exacerbations of eczema in these patients. However, the sustained chronic skin inflammation that characterizes atopic dermatitis is likely to result from a local expansion of allergen-specific T helper type 2 cells that produce interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 and the concomitant infiltration of eosinophils. An important role for IgE in allergen presentation to T helper type 2 cells by Langerhans cells has been proposed. These observations may have important implications for the development of new approaches for the treatment of this increasingly common allergic disorder.
Leung
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Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80206.
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E