Atopic dermatitis induces the expansion of thymus‐derived regulatory T cells exhibiting a Th2‐like phenotype in mice |
| |
| Authors: | Verena Moosbrugger‐Martinz Christoph H Tripp Björn E Clausen Matthias Schmuth Sandrine Dubrac |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria;2. Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg‐University Mainz, Mainz, Germany |
| |
| Abstract: | Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a widespread inflammatory skin disease with an early onset, characterized by pruritus, eczematous lesions and skin dryness. This chronic relapsing disease is believed to be primarily a result of a defective epidermal barrier function associated with genetic susceptibility, immune hyper‐responsiveness of the skin and environmental factors. Although the important role of abnormal immune reactivity in the pathogenesis of AD is widely accepted, the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) remains elusive. We found that the Treg population is expanded in a mouse model of AD, i.e. mice topically treated with vitamin D3 (VitD). Moreover, mice with AD‐like symptoms exhibit increased inducible T‐cell costimulator (ICOS)‐, cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4)‐ and Glycoprotein‐A repetitions predominant receptor (GARP)‐expressing Tregs in skin‐draining lymph nodes. Importantly, the differentiation of Tregs into thymus‐derived Tregs is favoured in our mouse model of AD. Emigrated skin‐derived dendritic cells are required for Treg induction and Langerhans cells are responsible for the biased expansion of thymus‐derived Tregs. Intriguingly, thymus‐derived Tregs isolated from mice with AD‐like symptoms exhibit a Th2 cytokine profile. Thus, AD might favour the expansion of pathogenic Tregs able to produce Th2 cytokines and to promote the disease instead of alleviating symptoms. |
| |
| Keywords: | atopic dermatitis regulatory T cells thymic stromal lymphopoietin vitamin D3 |
|
|
