Cellular aspects of atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly pruritic, chronic, and relapsing inflammatory skin disease. Recent interest in AD has been sparked by reports of its increasing prevalence and its contribution to increasing health care costs. A precise understanding of immunologic mechanisms is crucial for the development of effective treatment strategies for AD. Various studies reveal that AD has a multifactorial cause with the activation of complex immunologic and inflammatory pathways. This review will discuss cellular-mediated immunological pathomechanisms of AD. Emphasis will be given to the role played by T cells, antigen-presenting cells, eosinophils, and keratinocytes. We also examine the immunological effect of superantigens on various inflammatory cells including T regulatory cells.
Ou
Liang-Shiou
LS
Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, 5, Fu-Hsin Street, Kueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. a12031@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Huang
Jing-Long
JL
D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation / Q000276:immunology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018089:Superantigens; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology
D016207:Cytokines; D018089:Superantigens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E