Regulatory role of T lymphocytes in atopic dermatitis

Chem Immunol Allergy. 2008:94:101-111. doi: 10.1159/000154935.

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / immunology
  • Bacterial Infections / complications
  • Bacterial Infections / genetics
  • Bacterial Infections / immunology
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / etiology
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / genetics
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / pathology
  • Desensitization, Immunologic
  • Eczema / immunology
  • Food Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Food Hypersensitivity / genetics
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Food Hypersensitivity / therapy
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / immunology
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • Keratinocytes / pathology
  • RANK Ligand / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
  • Toll-Like Receptors / immunology

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Cytokines
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • RANK Ligand
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin