New perspectives on inflammation in atopic dermatitis.
Recent information implicates the stimulation of T cells by Staphylococcus aureus antigens and exotoxins as a likely factor in provoking the inflammatory response in atopic dermatitis. S. aureus secrets exotoxins called superantigens, which stimulate a large proportion of T cells. In addition, protein A, a component of the cell wall of S. aureus, is a potent B cell mitogen. This understanding provides a rationale for attempting to reduce the staphylococcal skin colonization of patients with severe atopic dermatitis and correlates with the clinical observation in a number of situations of marked improvement in atopic dermatitis following antibiotic treatment.
Kemp
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AS
Department of Immunology, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Campbell
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DE
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D016207:Cytokines; D018089:Superantigens