Pathogenetic mechanisms of atopic dermatitis

• Authors: S. Pastore , M.L. Giustizieri , F. Mascia , A. Giannetti , G. Girolomoni
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease which results from complex interactions between genetic and environmental mechanisms. An altered lipid composition of the stratum corneum is responsible of the xerotic aspect of the skin, and determines a higher permeability to allergens and irritants. Keratinocytes of AD patients exhibit a propensity to an exaggerated production of cytokines and chemokines, a phenomenon that can have a major role in promoting and maintaining inflammation. Specific immune responses against a variety of environmental allergens are also implicated in AD pathogenesis with a bias towards Th2 immune responses. In particular, dendritic cells expressing membrane IgE receptors, play a critical role in the amplification of allergen-specific T cell responses. Cross-linkage of specific IgE receptors on dermal mast cells provokes release and synthesis of a vast series of mediators. Following their recruitment and activation into the skin, eosinophils are also thought to contribute relevantly to tissue damage. Thus, a complex network of cytokines and chemokines contributes to establish a local milieu that favors the permanence of inflammation in AD skin.

Keywords

EN

ATOPY; DENDRITIC CELL; KERATINOCYTE; SKIN; T LYMPHOCYTE

Discipline

• IMMUNOLOGY: IMMUNOLOGY

• Publisher: Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis
• Year: 2000
• Volume: 48
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 497-504

Contributors

author

S. Pastore

author

M.L. Giustizieri

author

F. Mascia

author

A. Giannetti

author

G. Girolomoni

• Document Type: REVIEW
• Publication order reference: S. Pastore, Laboratory of Immunology, Istituto Dermopatico dell?Immacolata, IRCCS, Rome, Italy