title: The effects of tacrolimus ointment on regulatory T lymphocytes in atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Only very recently studies were conducted in order to evaluate the impact of regulatory T (Treg) cells in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis (AD). Nine adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD in riacutization period of a chronic disease were given tacrolimus ointment, while seven hydrocortisone butyrate ointment, that served as controls. We performed lesional-skin biopsies before and after treatment, that were stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies to CD4, CD25, forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (FoxP3), interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. CD4+ cells were significantly reduced in post-treatment series. Tacrolimus treatment achieved a significant reduction of CD25+ cells. FoxP3+ cells were present in untreated AD lesions. Both treatments did not significantly modify the number of FoxP3+ cells. The number of IL-10+ cells increased in post-treatment series. Tacrolimus enhanced the production of TGF-beta, while hydrocortisone did not. Restoration of TGF-beta-producing Treg cells may represent another important pharmacodynamic effect of tacrolimus on AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatological Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caproni
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torchia
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Antiga
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Volpi
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: del Bianco
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fabbri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments / Q000494:pharmacology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D009824:Ointments; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D016559:Tacrolimus