Role of T cells in atopic dermatitis. New aspects on the dynamics of cytokine production and the contribution of bacterial superantigens.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease. Influx of activated T cells into the skin lesions represents a hallmark in AD. Recent results indicate a dynamic T-cell-derived cytokine production in AD. In addition to the well-known TH-2 component, chronic lesions and late-phase allergic responses are characterized by an TH-1/TH-0 cytokine pattern. Although there is no doubt that aeroallergens can contribute to the elicitation of acute- and late-phase allergic responses in AD, their role in the immunopathogenesis is controversally discussed. Recent attention has been given to the long-known phenomenon of persistent colonization of AD skin with S. aureus and the potential role of S. aureus-derived superantigens. Evidence from several in vitro and in vivo studies suggests that such bacterial superantigens have the potency to trigger chronic T-cell-mediated skin inflammation. Although these data are certainly suggestive, further clinical studies are required to elucidate the role of bacterial superantigens in initiation, maintenance and, especially, chronicity of skin inflammation.
Herz
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Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Charité-Virchow Klinikum, of the Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
Bunikowski
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Renz
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D002473:Cell Wall / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D016207:Cytokines; D015848:Interleukin-5; D018089:Superantigens; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma