Noninvasive Translational Approaches to Study the Disease Pathogenesis of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic or acute inflammatory skin condition that affects many children and adults and can be severe and debilitating. It is characterized by itchy, dry, red, flaky skin and it is caused by several factors, including immune system dysfunction. This study was focused on using suction blistering as a potential technique that can identify differences between cell populations in samples from atopic dermatitis patients. The goal of this study was to identify potential cell populations that trigger the onset or indicate the activity of disease in patients. To identify specific cell populations that produce inflammatory proteins and cytokines in AD, flow cytometry was performed on blister biopsy samples from patients and healthy volunteers. Cell populations from blood, lesional and non-lesional sites of each atopic dermatitis patient and healthy controls were different in number, phenotype and distribution. Specifically, we identified CD4 and CD8 T cells (and their ratio change), Langerhans cells, and natural killer cells in blister fluid as potential drivers of AD immunopathogenesis. A potential application of these findings is finding new treatments for AD patients by specifically targeting these immune cells.