Immunoregulation of hapten and drug induced immune reactions.
OBJECTIVE
Unbalanced immune responses to haptens lead to a variety of diseases, including allergic contact dermatitis to skin sensitizers and drug induced immune reactions. The occurrence, magnitude and persistence of immune responses are modulated by specialized T cell subsets with regulatory function. The purpose of this brief review is to summarize the recent data on the role of regulatory T cells in the control of hapten mediated diseases.


RESULTS
Several subsets of regulatory T cells, including T regulatory cell 1-like lymphocytes, and cutaneous lymphocyte associated antigen+ CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells have been isolated from the skin at sites of hapten challenge. Both cell types suppress specific T cell responses to cutaneous sensitizers, such as nickel.


CONCLUSIONS
Although data concerning the regulation of drug hypersensitivity are lacking, several reports indicate the role of regulatory T cell subsets in allergic contact dermatitis to haptens. The understanding of their role in hapten diseases and the requirement for their in-vivo and in-vitro expansion appears as a critical step for the development of specific desensitization protocols.
Cavani
Andrea
A
Laboratory of Immunology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IRCCS, Rome, Italy. cavani@idi.it
Ottaviani
Chiara
C
Nasorri
Francesca
F
Sebastiani
Silvia
S
Girolomoni
Giampiero
G
D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006241:Haptens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism
D006241:Haptens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2