title: Atopic and non-atopic individuals react to nickel challenge in a similar way. A study of the cytokine profile in nickel-induced contact dermatitis.
abstract: The influence of atopy on delayed-type hypersensitivity remains unclear. The expression of cytokine mRNA was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in biopsy skin taken 24 h after the application of a 5% NiSO4 patch to five patients with atopic dermatitis and seven non-atopic subjects with previously proven contact allergy to nickel. Control specimens were obtained from untested and vehicle-tested skin from the same individuals. There was a significant increase in the mRNA expression for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 together after nickel challenge in both patients (analysis of variance P = 0.007) and non-atopic-individuals (P = 0.005). In contrast, IL-10 mRNA increased in the non-atopic group only. These results show that atopic patients and normal subjects have a similar immunological reaction to nickel challenge. Moreover, it is suggested that both Th1- and Th2-type cytokines are involved in the immunopathogenesis of contact dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary, Scotland, U.K.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Szepietowski
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Keohane
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Aldridge
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D009532:Nickel; D007371:Interferon-gamma