Immunological Mechanisms in Allergic Contact Dermatitis

AbstractPurpose of the reviewThe understanding of the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) has increased dramatically.Recent findingsBesides CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, other cell types such as innate lymphoid cells, natural killer T cells (NKT), natural killer cells, and T regulatory cells have emerged as crucial key players. New immunological insights have unravelled that the predominant effector cell type determines the clinical pictures. Hence, a better understanding of the involvement of distinct effector cells has shed light on the diversity of ACD reactions and subsequent clinical pictures. Another new perspective has arisen in the elicitation phase. Here, Langerhans cells can play a role in the development of immune tolerance and not, as previously thought, exclusively in the allergen-driven hypersensitivity reaction. B cells also appear to play an important role in triggering ACD by secreting IgM antibodies in response to interleukin (IL)-4 produced by NKT cells, leading to complement activation and chemotaxis of immune cells.SummaryAllergic contact dermatitis is a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction triggered by skin contact with the chemical of interest in individuals previously sensitised to the same or a chemically related substance. The understanding of the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of allergic contact dermatitis has improved considerably. In addition to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, other cell types such as natural killer T ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Allergy - Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research