Skip to main content
Log in

Recent advances in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis

  • Review
  • Published:
European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disorder affecting 5%–10% of children. Although basic mechanisms remain largely speculative, recent studies on the pathogenesis have elucidated new insights, pointing to the importance of food and inhalant aller-gens. The pathogenesis of AD can be more easily explained by the model of late skin reaction occurring after mast cell activation. The present report highlights some of the more recent developments in the mechanisms of AD which can be important in understanding and treating this troublesome disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

AD:

atopic dermatitis

DBPCPT:

double-blind placebo-controlled provocation test

FcER:

Fc receptor for IgE

Lc:

Langerhans cell

References

  1. Adinoff AD, Tellez P, Clark RAF (1988) Atopic dermatitis and aeroallergen contact sensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 81:736–742

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Agosti JM, Sprenger JD, Lum LG, Witherspoon RP, Fisher LD, Storb R, Henderson WR Jr (1988) Transfer of allergenspecific IgE-mediated hypersensitivity with allogenic bone marrow transplantation. N Engl J Med 319:1623–1628

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bjercke S, Elgö J, Braathen L, Thorsby E (1984) Enriched epidermal Langerhans cells are potent antigen-presenting cells for T cells. J Invest Dermatol 83:286–289

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Bonini S, Adriani E, Bonini S, De Petrillo G, Loggi GG, Adabbo A, Pani M, Balsano F (1989) Allergy and asthma: distinguishing the causes from the triggers. An eye model for the study of inflammatory events following allergen challenge. Eur Respir J [Suppl 2] 6:497s-501s

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bruynzeel-Koomen CAFM, Bruynzeel PLB (1988) A role for IgE in patch test reactions to inhalant allergens in patients with atopic dermatitis. Allergy 43:15–21

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bruynzeel-Koomen C, Van der Donk EMM, Bruynzeel PLB, Capron M, De Gast GC, Mudde GC (1988) Associated expression of CD1 antigen and Fc receptor for IgE on epidermal Langerhans cells from patients with atopic dermatitis. Clin Exp Immunol 74:137–142

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bruynzeel-Koomen CAF, Van Wichen DF, Spry CJF, Venge P, Bruynzeel PLB (1988) Active participation of eosinophils in patch test reactions to inhalant allergens in patients with atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 118:229–238

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Carswell F, Thompson S (1986) Does natural sensitisation in eczema occur through the skin? Lancet II:1315

    Google Scholar 

  9. Cockcroft DW (1983) Mechanism of perennial allergic asthma. Lancet II:253–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. David TJ (1984) Anaphylactic shock during elimination diets for severe atopic eczema. Arch Dis Child 59:983–986

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Desager K, Van Bever HP, Stevens WJ (1987) Contact sensitivity to aeroallergens in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) demonstrated by patch test. J Allergy Clin Immunol 79:236 (abs 446)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Dolovich J, Hargreave FE, Chalmers R, Shier KJ, Gauldie J, Bienenstock J (1973) Late cutaneous allergic responses in isolated IgE-dependent reactions. J Allergy Clin Immunol 52: 38–46

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Frew AJ, Kay AB (1988) The pattern of human late-phase skin reactions to extracts of aeroallergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol 81:1117–1121

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Hanifin JM (1984) Atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 73:211–222

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Hanifin JM (1987) Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis. Monogr Allergy 21:116–131

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Hanifin JM, Lobitz WC (1977) Newer concepts of atopic dermatitis. Arch Dermatol 113:663–670

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Hénocq E, Gaillard J (1981) Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity in atopic dermatitis. Clin Allergy 11:13–20

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Larsen FS, Holm NV, Henningsen K (1986) Atopic dermatitis: a genetic-epidemiologic study in a population-based twin sample. J Am Acad Dermatol 15:487–494

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Leiferman KM, Ackerman SJ, Sampson HA, Haugen HS, Venecie PY, Gleich GJ (1985) Dermal deposition of eosinphilgranule major basic protein in atopic dermatitis. N Engl J Med 313:282–285

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Mitchell EB, Crow J, Chapman MD, et al (1982) Basophils in allergen-induced patch test sites in atopic dermatitis. Lancet I:127–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Mitchell EB, Crow J, Platts-Mills TAE (1986) Increase in skin mast cells following chronic house dust mite exposure. Br J Dermatol 114:65–73

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Peterson CGB, Skoog V, Venge P (1986) Human eosinophil cationic proteins (ECP and EPX) and their suppressive effects on lymphocyte proliferation. Immunobiology 171:1–13

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Platts-Mills TAE, Mitchell EB, Rowntree S, Chapman MD, Wilkins S (1983) The role of dust mite antigens in atopic dermatitis. Clin Exp Dermatol 8:233–243

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Ruco LP, Uccini S, Baroni CD (1989) The Langerhans' cells. Allergy 44 [Suppl 9]:27–30

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Sampson HA (1983) Role of immediate food hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 71:473–480

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Sampson HA (1989) Role of immediate hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Allergy 44 [Suppl 9]:52–58

    Google Scholar 

  27. Sampson HA, McCaskill CC (1985) Food hypersensitivity and atopic dermatitis: evaluation of 113 patients. J Pediatr 107: 669–675

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Sauder DN, Dinarello CA, Morhenn VB (1984) Langerhans' cell production of Interleukin-1. J Invest Dermatol 82:605–607

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Silberberg-Sinakin I, Gilgi I, Baer RL, Thorbecke GJ (1980) Langerhans' cells: role in contact hypersensitivity and relationship to lymphoid dendritic cells and to macrophages. Immunol Rev 53:203–232

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Simons FER (1988) Allergic rhinitis: recent advances. Pediatr Clin North Am 35:1053–1074

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Taylor B, Wadsworth M, Wadsworth J, Peckham C (1984) Changes in the reported prevalence of childhood eczema since the 1939–45 war. Lancet II:1255–1257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Van Bever HP, Docx M, Stevens WJ (1989) Food and food additives in severe atopic dermatitis. Allergy 44:588–594

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Van Bever, H.P. Recent advances in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Eur J Pediatr 151, 870–873 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01954120

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01954120

Key word

Navigation