New insights in the pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), are crucial for the maintenance of immunological tolerance and may directly prevent the activation and function of non-regulatory effector T cells, either Th1 or Th2 effector cells and/or Tregs may inhibit antigen presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) to effector T cells. Recently, there is some evidence suggesting the role of regulatory T cells in the AD pathogenesis. The aim of this work was to study the percentage levels of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells and analyze the FoxP3+T cells expression in the peripheral blood of patients complaining of atopic dermatitis and to evaluate the levels of IL-10 and IgE. Forty three children complain of atopic dermatitis showing that, the percentage of CD4+CD25+ found to be significantly elevated (11.3 ± 4.7) as compared to 10 non-atopic controls (3.7 ± 1.5, p < 0.001). The median value of IL-10 (2645 pg/ml) was higher than that of the control group (785 pg/ml). The median value of IgE was much higher in AD group (600 IU/ml) than in control group (46.6 IU/ml). The percentage levels Tregs and the levels of IL-10 and IgE in AD patients suggest their contribution in the pathogenesis of AD.