Immunohistochemical detection of interferon-gamma-producing cells in dermatophytosis.
Skin lesions of dermatophytosis are thought to be a result of a T cell-dependent inflammatory response that is mediated by various cytokines. We examined whether IFN-gamma-positive cells (as expression of Th1 response) were present in the skin lesions of dermatophytosis in situ by immunohistochemical techniques. Mixtures of CD4-positive T cells and CD8-positive T cells were found to be present in the dermal infiltrates of the lesions. Considerable numbers of CD1a-positive cells were detected in the upper dermis and epidermis. A marked accumulation of CD68-positive cells was found in the upper dermis. IFN-gamma-positive cells were present in the upper dermis of the lesions. The pattern of IFN-gamma staining appeared to be intracellular in mononuclear lymphoid cells. The staining was considered to be highly specific because it could be completely blocked by preabsorption with recombinant IFN-gamma. Our data support the hypothesis that the skin lesions of dermatophytosis may be associated with a Th1 response. Th1 response, which is characterized by IFN-gamma release, is thought to be involved in the host defense against dermatophytes and to reflect cutaneous reaction in dermatophytosis.
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, J-812-8582 Fukuoka, Japan. tekoga@dermatol.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
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D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008864:Microsporum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D014157:Transcription Factors; C095572:Hand1 protein, mouse