Biomaterial Database

Recent developments in the pathogenesis of allergic contact dermatitis. 1991

R S Kalish

Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Allergic contact dermatitis is both an important clinical problem and a model system for lymphocyte-mediated pathologic changes. Elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis requires interaction of antigen with epidermal Langerhans cells, followed by migration of the Langerhans cells to the lymph nodes to present antigen to T lymphocytes. These activated T lymphocytes must then home to the antigen-exposed skin. Adhesion molecules such as LFA-1 and ICAM-1 have a role in this homing. Only a small proportion of the T lymphocytes in the skin lesion are specific for the inducing antigen. Studies of poison ivy (urushiol dermatitis) have determined this fraction to be less than one per 100 infiltrating lymphocytes. By a variety of amplification mechanisms, it is possible for this small number of antigen-specific T lymphocytes to induce the pathologic changes of allergic contact dermatitis. Improved understanding of this condition should result in increased knowledge of the pathogenesis of a variety of T lymphocyte-mediated skin conditions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007801	Langerhans Cells	Recirculating, dendritic, antigen-presenting cells containing characteristic racket-shaped granules (Birbeck granules). They are found principally in the stratum spinosum of the EPIDERMIS and are rich in Class II MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX molecules. Langerhans cells were the first dendritic cell to be described and have been a model of study for other dendritic cells (DCs), especially other migrating DCs such as dermal DCs and INTERSTITIAL DENDRITIC CELLS.	Langerhans Cell,Dendritic Cells, Dermal,Dendritic Cells, Epidermal,Dendritic Cells, Skin,Dermal Dendritic Cells,Epidermal Dendritic Cells,Skin Dendritic Cells,Cell, Dermal Dendritic,Cell, Epidermal Dendritic,Cell, Langerhans,Cell, Skin Dendritic,Cells, Dermal Dendritic,Cells, Epidermal Dendritic,Cells, Langerhans,Cells, Skin Dendritic,Dendritic Cell, Dermal,Dendritic Cell, Epidermal,Dendritic Cell, Skin,Dermal Dendritic Cell,Epidermal Dendritic Cell,Skin Dendritic Cell
D003877	Dermatitis, Contact	A type of acute or chronic skin reaction in which sensitivity is manifested by reactivity to materials or substances coming in contact with the skin. It may involve allergic or non-allergic mechanisms.	Contact Dermatitis,Dermatitis Venenata,Eczema, Contact,Hypersensitivity, Contact,Sensitivity, Contact,Contact Dermatitides,Contact Eczema,Contact Hypersensitivities,Contact Hypersensitivity,Contact Sensitivities,Contact Sensitivity,Dermatitides, Contact,Hypersensitivities, Contact,Sensitivities, Contact
D006241	Haptens	Small antigenic determinants capable of eliciting an immune response only when coupled to a carrier. Haptens bind to antibodies but by themselves cannot elicit an antibody response.	Hapten,Contact-Sensitizing Agents,Agents, Contact-Sensitizing,Contact Sensitizing Agents
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013601	T-Lymphocytes	Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen.	T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte
D015603	Keratinocytes	Epidermal cells which synthesize keratin and undergo characteristic changes as they move upward from the basal layers of the epidermis to the cornified (horny) layer of the skin. Successive stages of differentiation of the keratinocytes forming the epidermal layers are basal cell, spinous or prickle cell, and the granular cell.	Keratinocyte