IL-23 and T(H)17-mediated inflammation in human allergic contact dermatitis

Jeppe Madura Larsen, Charlotte Menné Bonefeld, Steen Seier Poulsen, Carsten Geisler, Lone Skov

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: IL-17-producing T(H) (T(H)17) cells are key mediators of chronic inflammation in mice. Recent studies have implicated T(H)17-mediated inflammation in the pathogenesis of human autoimmune diseases; however, the involvement of T(H)17 cells in allergic disorders remains largely elusive.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate T(H)17-mediated inflammation in human beings with allergic contact dermatitis; in particular, the innate response of keratinocytes to contact allergen, the induction of allergen-specific T(H)17 cells, and the presence of T(H)17-related effector cells in inflamed skin.

METHODS: Human keratinocytes were stimulated with nickel in vitro followed by measurements of IL-23 and IL-12 production by quantitative PCR and ELISA. Allergen-specific memory T cells from the blood of individuals with nickel allergy and healthy controls were identified and characterized by using a short-term ex vivo assay. Nickel patch test lesions and normal skin were analyzed for the expression of T(H)17-related cells and molecules by using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Keratinocytes were found to produce IL-23, but no detectable IL-12, in a response to nickel stimulation. Memory T cells isolated from peripheral blood of individuals with nickel allergy, but not healthy controls, contained T(H)17 and T(H)1 cells proliferating in response to nickel-pulsed DCs. Inflamed skin of nickel-challenged allergic individuals contained infiltrating neutrophils and cells expressing IL-17, IL-22, CCR6, and IL-22R.

CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the involvement of T(H)17-mediated immunopathology in human allergic contact dermatitis, including both innate and adaptive immune responses to contact allergens.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume123
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)486-492.e1
Number of pages7
ISSN0091-6749
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2009

Keywords

  • Allergens
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-12
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-23
  • Interleukins
  • Keratinocytes
  • Nickel
  • Receptors, CCR6
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

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