title: Regulatory role of T lymphocytes in atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Eczema does not occur in the absence of T cells. Here we provide an overview on the regulatory impact which T cells have on the establishment and maintenance of atopic dermatitis. Particularly, we outline the role of different T-helper cell subsets (i.e. Th-1, Th-2, T-regulatory and Th-17 cells) and their distinct influence on the cutaneous inflammatory reaction at different stages of the disease. Eczema is characterized by epidermal inflammation and thus T-cell/ker - atinocyte interactions are of particular relevance in this condition. Alterations in innate and adaptive immunity involving T cells result in susceptibility to skin infections and in hyperreactivity reactions to environmental stimuli which in turn determine the course and severity of atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunodermatology and Allergy Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Werfel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wittmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004485:Eczema / Q000276:immunology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D016207:Cytokines; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053245:RANK Ligand; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin