Altered Cytokine Production in Atopic Dermatitis: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Infiltrating lymphocytes in skin lesions from patients with atopic dermatitis are capable of secreting a variety of interleukins (IL) that may promote IgE synthesis, IL-4, or decrease interferon-gamma (γIFN) production. Previous studies conducted in atopic patients have revealed a direct correlation between serum IgE, IL-4 and an inverse relationship with γIFN levels. We investigated the role of cellular and serum -γIFN, serum IL-4, and IgE levels in 7 patients, 5 adults and 2 children (mean age 20.3 years) with atopic dermatitis. During the study, none of the patients were treated with systemic steroids or other immunosuppressive therapy. We demonstrated that clinical scoring for associated asthma, rhinitis, or gastrointestinal complaints best coincided with IgE levels. However, a slight trend of serum IgE levels with IL-4 was noted in 3 patients. Baseline (0.4 ± 0.9 pg/mL) and mitogen-stimulated (1.4 ± 1.0 pg/mL) peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) γIFN production was detected in 5 of 7 patients, but mitogen-stimulated levels were higher in nonatopic controls (9.5 pg/mL). Elevated serum -γIFN levels at 52 pg/mL were observed compared to nonatopic controls at 6 pg/mL. In 6 of 7 patients with elevated serum γIFN levels, an inverse correlation was noted in 4 patients with low serum IL-4 levels. Elevated levels of serum IL-4 were observed in 3 of 7 patients, with undetectable levels in another 3 patients. Mitogen- or antigen-stimulated cellular PBMC IL-4 levels were also detected in 3 patients with elevated serum IL-4, but less cellular γIFN was noted compared to normal controls. There was no correlation between any interleukin levels and a clinical score for associated atopic conditions. In conclusion, our preliminary study demonstrated that cellular and humoral IL-4 and γIFN production can be dysregulated in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, which can enhance IgE synthesis.