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Study on the role of interleukin-21 in the pathogenic mechanisms of atopic dermatitis
Date Issued
2009
Date
2009
Author(s)
Lin, Sheng-Chieh
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis is one form of eczema that is characterized by typical distribution, extreme pruritus, and chronically relapsing course. Recent studies have demonstrated that atopic dermatitis, like asthma and allergic rhinitis, is associated with the local infiltration of T helper type 2 (Th2) cells that secrete interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13. In atopic dermatitis, increased total serum IgE levels are common characteristics. Molecular events in immunoglobulin E (IgE) isotype switching require IL-4 or IL-13 stimulation interaction with their receptors that lead to the phophorylation (by Janus Kinases) and transduction of signal transducers and activators of transcription 6 (STAT6) into the nucleus, inducing target genes and the production of IgE. IL-4 and IL-5 was already confirmed association with atopic dermatitis. Recent studies revealed IL-21 is a new member of IL-2 family cytokine. IL-21 is mainly expressed by activated CD4+ T lymphocytes. Th17 cells produced few number of IL-21. In animal study, IL-21 had its ability to down-regulate IgE production and had negatively regulation in IgE isotype switching by several mechanisms. Until now, there was no clinical data show the relationship between IL-21 and atopic dermatitis. By the method of case and control study, we checked serum total IgE, specific IgE. We also evaluate the effects and relationship between IL-21, IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ and IL-17 in atopic dermatitis of children. SCORAD index were used primarily in clinical severity. Total serum IgE and allergen specific-IgE was checked by uni-CAP system. Cell culture with PBMC was stimulated with both anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 Ab (2μg/ml) or PHA (2μg/ml) or PWM (4 μg/ml). The cytokine level of IL-21, IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γand IL-17 were checked by ELISA method. A total number of 75 children were enrolled (male 37, female 38). Serum total IgE in the case group and control group were measured as 365.4 +/-51.81 IU/ml and 36.68+/- 6.845 IU/ml (P<0.0001). IL-21 levels in children with atopic dermatitis were lower than healthy control children. By using logistic regression analysis, it was found that there was no correlation between IL-21 and IL-4, IL-21 and IL-5, IL-21 and IL-17. There was significant correlation between IL-21 and IFN-γ (r2=0.402, P<0.05). Besides, severe atopic dermatitis was significantly higher concentrations of IL-21 than mild atopic dermatitis (P <0.05). We found that IL-21 was an important cytokine and play an important role in atopic dermatitis.
Subjects
Interleukin-21
atopic dermatitis
IgE isotype switch
allergy
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ntu-98-P96421018-1.pdf
Size
23.32 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
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