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A Modular View of Cytokine Networks in Atopic Dermatitis

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Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease known for its complex pathophysiology involving several immune pathways. In the lesion, signals from barrier disruption, allergens, and microbial colonization are integrated and transmitted to diverse immune cell types, which initiate and maintain the disease. Cytokines are critical in the allergic intercellular communication networks. This review focuses on up-to-date knowledge on the role of cytokines in AD, including recently described functions as well as novel cellular sources. We propose three modules defined as the cellular source of groups of cytokines: (1) keratinocytes, (2) innate immune cells, and (3) T cells. This view enables to better position the function of novel cytokine players, such as thymic stromal lymphopoetin, IL-21, IL-25, and IL-33, in linking different modules and ultimately leading to the allergic inflammatory phenotype. Persistent efforts in the detailed characterization of cytokine networks will be fundamental for the understanding of the complex pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and for guiding targeted therapeutic interventions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM U932, 26 rue d’Ulm, 75005, Paris, France

    Irit Carmi-Levy & Vassili Soumelis

  2. Department of Immunology, Institut Curie, 26 rue d’Ulm, 75005, Paris, France

    Irit Carmi-Levy & Vassili Soumelis

  3. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Bernhard Homey

  4. Center of Clinical Investigations, CIC-BT-507, Curie-IGR, Villejuif, Paris, France

    Vassili Soumelis

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  1. Irit Carmi-Levy
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  2. Bernhard Homey
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Correspondence to Irit Carmi-Levy.

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Carmi-Levy, I., Homey, B. & Soumelis, V. A Modular View of Cytokine Networks in Atopic Dermatitis. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol 41, 245–253 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-010-8239-6

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