The study of immunological markers in patients with "intrinsic" type atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by several clinical, immunological and biochemical alterations. Comparing the patients with the 'extrinsic' and 'intrinsic' types of AD, we investigated the role of immunological mechanisms in the pathogenesis of AD. To confirm it, we calculated serum markers of T lymphocyte activation: soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The soluble CD14 (sCD14) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in serum were measured as monocyte/macrophage activation markers. We examined 29 patients with the 'extrinsic' type AD (serum IgE > 10000 IU/ml: High-AD), 23 patients with the 'intrinsic' type AD (serum IgE < 37 IU/ml: Low-AD) and 11 healthy controls. Serum sIL-2R levels were increased in High-AD and Low-AD compared with the controls. They were also significantly increased in High-AD compared with Low-AD. Serum sCD14 levels were increased in High-AD compared with Low-AD and the controls. Severity index of AD were correlated with serum sIL-2R levels but not with sCD14 levels in sera. In conclusion, IgE may not relate with the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Serum sIL-2R levels may be increased according to inflammatory skin lesions and it may be exaggerated with the immunological activation in the patients with the 'extrinsic' type AD.