title: The role of dendritic cell subtypes in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory, immunologically mediated skin disease characterized by a T helper type 2 cell-predominant phenotype initially with additional acquisition of T helper type 1 cell phenotype during the chronic eczematous phase. Compelling evidence presented here suggests that two types of dendritic cells (DC), myeloid DC (mDC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC), are important in the pathogenesis of AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the current literature and summarized key information about the role of mDC and pDC in the pathogenesis of AD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Langerhans cells and inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells, which bear the high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E on their cell surface, are hypothesized to contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. pDC, Which play an important role in the defence against viral infections, have also been shown to express high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immunoglobulin E receptor-bearing mDC and pDC subtypes in the blood and the skin of patients with AD are of critical immunologic importance in the complex pathophysiologic network of AD. Targeting mDC and pDC subtypes may lead to effective new therapies for the management of AD.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. Natalija.Novak@ukb.uni-bonn.de
authors: Natalija
authors: N
authors: Novak
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Bieber
mesh_terms: D018925:Chemokines / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D016559:Tacrolimus