Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2018 Jun 7. Epub 2018 Jun 7.

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Frauenlobstr. 9-11, 80337, Munich, Germany.

A wide variety of foods may cause or aggravate skin diseases such as contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, or atopic dermatitis (AD), both in occupational and private settings. The mechanism of action underlying allergic disease to food, food additives, and spices may be immunologic and non-immunologic. The classification and understanding of these reactions is a complex field, and knowledge of the possible reaction patterns and appropriate diagnostic test methods is essential. Read More

Cell Death Dis 2018 May 10;9(5):548. Epub 2018 May 10.

The Biotherapy Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510630, Guangzhou, China.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been demonstrated to ameliorate allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a typical T-cell-mediated disorder. However, the underlying mechanisms behind the MSC-based treatment for ACD have not yet been fully elucidated. The stanniocalcins (STCs) comprise a family of secreted glycoprotein hormones that act as important anti-inflammatory proteins. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2018 Mar;93(2):242-250

Department of Dermatology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Skin's innate immunity is the initial activator of immune response mechanisms, influencing the development of adaptive immunity. Some contact allergens are detected by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and inflammasome NLR3. Keratinocytes participate in innate immunity and, in addition to functioning as an anatomical barrier, secrete cytokines, such as TNF, IL-1β, and IL-18, contributing to the development of Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Read More

Hautarzt 2018 Jun;69(6):443-448

Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Deutschland.

Background: The food sector is one of the high-risk areas for occupational irritative and allergic contact eczema.

Objectives: The present work provides an overview of the main allergens as well as sensitization frequencies and risk in various food industry occupations.

Methods: The literature on type IV sensitization in the food sector is summarized. Read More

Theranostics 2018 23;8(9):2407-2423. Epub 2018 Mar 23.

Institute of Immunology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany.

Recruitment of leukocytes from the blood to sites of inflammation poses a promising target for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We aimed to develop a novel method to non-invasively analyze molecular mechanisms of leukocyte migration in pre-clinical models of inflammation . We used the ER-HoxB8 system to transiently immortalize murine myeloid precursors from and CD18- as well as MRP14-deficient mice. Read More

Pharmacogn Mag 2018 Apr-Jun;14(54):174-179. Epub 2018 Apr 10.

Division of Pharmacology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, South Korea.

Background: Cabbage, var. capitata L., is one of the most common vegetables in the world. Read More

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2018 18;176(2):91-100. Epub 2018 Apr 18.

Background: Although immunosuppressants for therapy of atopic dermatitis (AD) are still being sought, proteasome inhibitors are also potential candidates for the treatment of AD. Proteasome inhibitors exert various effects by blocking proteasomal degradation and help regulate processes such as apoptosis induction via caspase-9, cell cycle progression via cyclins, NF-κB inactivation via IκB, and downregulation of antigen cross-presentation. The cells targeted by proteasome inhibitors are therefore activated cells undergoing proliferation or differentiation, and antigen-presenting cells carrying out protein degradation. Read More

J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018 Jun 9;365(3):652-663. Epub 2018 Apr 9.

Endocannabinoid Research Group, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Napoli, Italy (S.P., R.V., M.A., V.D.); Epitech Group SpA, Saccolongo, Padova, Italy (S.P., M.A.); and Dipartimento di Farmacologia Sperimentale, Università di Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy (M.V., T.I.)

Phytocannabinoids modulate inflammatory responses by regulating the production of cytokines in several experimental models of inflammation. Cannabinoid type-2 (CB) receptor activation was shown to reduce the production of the monocyte chemotactic protein-2 (MCP-2) chemokine in polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly-(I:C)]-stimulated human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells, an in vitro model of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). We investigated if nonpsychotropic cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), produced similar effects in this experimental model of ACD. Read More

J Invest Dermatol 2018 Mar 9. Epub 2018 Mar 9.

Department of Microbiology and Institute for Medical Science, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Many itch mediators activate GPCR and trigger itch via activation of GPCR-mediated signaling pathways. GPCRs are desensitized by GPCR kinases (GRKs). The aim of this study is to explore the role of GRKs in itch response and the link between GRKs and glutamine, an amino acid previously shown to be an itch reliever. Read More

Contact Dermatitis 2018 Apr;78(4):291-292

Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department, Lyon Sud University Hospital, 69495 Pierre Benite cedex, France.

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018 Jun 6;120(6):592-598. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

Department of Allergy, New York University Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, New York.

Objective: To review of contact dermatitis (CD) and its key allergens and provide updates and recommendations for the practicing allergist.

Data Sources: Through the use of various scientific search engines (eg, PubMed and MEDLINE), we reviewed literature on CD, patch tests (PTs), key allergens, occupational dermatitis, and treatment.

Study Selections: Studies on CD, important allergens, and PTs were considered. Read More

Toxicol Lett 2018 May 22;288:129-135. Epub 2018 Feb 22.

Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China. Electronic address:

Early diagnosis and treatment of occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis due to trichloroethylene (OMLDT) are absence of specific and reliable diagnostic/therapeutic biomarkers. This study was conducted on 30 cases of OMLDT, 58 workers exposed to trichloroethylene (TCE) and 40 unexposed controls in order to identify any cytokine signatures that give an index to CD4T cell differential and serve as biomarkers of OMLDT. Expression profiles of Th, Th, Th and Treg cell type-specifying transcription factors and cytokines were analyzed using real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay. Read More

Exp Dermatol 2018 Mar;27(3):217-226

Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.

The galectin family comprises β-galactoside-binding proteins widely expressed in many organisms. There are at least 16 family members, which can be classified into three groups based on their carbohydrate-recognition domains. Pleiotropic functions of different galectins in physiological and pathological processes through extracellular or intracellular actions have been revealed. Read More

Free Radic Res 2018 Feb 15;52(2):171-179. Epub 2018 Jan 15.

a Dermatochemistry Laboratory , University of Strasbourg, CNRS UMR 7177, Institut le Bel , Strasbourg , France.

The first step in the development of skin sensitisation to a chemical, and in the elicitation of further allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), is the binding of the allergen to skin proteins after penetrating into the epidermis. The so-formed antigenic adduct is then recognised by the immune system as foreign to the body. Sensitising organic hydroperoxides derived from autoxidation of natural terpenes are believed to form antigens through radical-mediated mechanisms, although this has not yet been established. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018 01 29;496(1):25-30. Epub 2017 Dec 29.

Department of Immunology and Pathology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba 272-8516, Japan. Electronic address:

Fine regulation of the Ras/mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is crucial in controlling the survival, proliferation, and development of various types of cells. Ras-activating protein-like 3 (Rasal3) is a T cell-specific Ras GTPase-activating protein that negatively regulates T cell receptor (TCR)-induced activation of Ras/MAPK pathway. Rasal3-deficient mice showed a decreased number of naive T cells because Rasal3 is required for the survival of naive T cells. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017 Dec 27. Epub 2017 Dec 27.

Laboratory of Vaccine Materials, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research, and Laboratory of Gut Environmental System, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Ibaraki, Japan; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan; Division of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology and International Research and Development Center for Mucosal Vaccines, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: Metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid exert various physiologic actions. 17,18-Epoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (17,18-EpETE) is a recently identified new class of antiallergic and anti-inflammatory lipid metabolite of eicosapentaenoic acid, but its effects on skin inflammation and the underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated.

Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of 17,18-EpETE for control of contact hypersensitivity in mice and cynomolgus macaques. Read More

Inflammation 2018 Mar;41(2):689-699

Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1 Huangjiahu West Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430065, China.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of berberine on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in rats and explore its underlying mechanisms. Firstly, ACD model was established by sensitizing and challenging with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) topically, and the rats were treated with berberine. Ear swelling was assessed, and cytokine, IgE, and histamine productions were measured. Read More

Toxicol Sci 2018 Apr;162(2):429-438

Centre for Biological Sciences.

Skin sensitization associated with the development of allergic contact dermatitis occurs via a number of specific key events at the cellular level. The molecular initiating event (MIE), the first in the sequence of these events, occurs after exposure of the skin to an electrophilic chemical, causing the irreversible haptenation of proteins within skin. Characterization of this MIE is a key step in elucidating the skin sensitization adverse outcome pathway and is essential to providing parameters for mathematical models to predict the capacity of a chemical to cause sensitization. Read More

Pharmacol Res Perspect 2017 Dec;5(6)

GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, USA.

GSK2982772 is a highly selective inhibitor of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) being developed to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. This first-in-human study evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and exploratory pharmacodynamics (PD) of GSK2982772 administered orally to healthy male volunteers. This was a Phase I, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Read More

Toxicol Lett 2018 Mar 2;284:56-62. Epub 2017 Dec 2.

Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan. Electronic address:

Little attention has been paid to chemicals that can enhance hypersensitivity caused by other chemicals. We have demonstrated that phthalate esters with short chain alcohols enhance fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in a mouse model. Furthermore, phthalate esters with such an enhancing effect were found to activate transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) cation channels, which are expressed on a part of sensory neurons, using a TRPA1-expressing cell line. Read More

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018 01 26;338:174-181. Epub 2017 Nov 26.

College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Benzophenone-3 (BP-3), which is extensively used in organic sunscreen, has phototoxic potential in human skin. Phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) has a well-established role in inflammatory responses in immune cells. Currently, it is unknown if PDE4B is associated with BP-3-induced phototoxicity in normal human keratinocytes (NHKs). Read More

Contact Dermatitis 2017 12;77(6):430-431

AP-HM, Service de Médecine et Santé au Travail, 13005 Marseille, France.

Toxicol Ind Health 2018 Jan 13;34(1):36-43. Epub 2017 Nov 13.

4 Department of Medical Quality Control, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.

To investigate the expression profile of monocyte chemoattractant peptide-1 (MCP-1) by keratinocytes after nickel exposure and to identify its role for leucocyte migration during nickel-induced occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD), 26 workers diagnosed with nickel-induced OACD were enrolled. Skin biopsies from the positive nickel-challenged sites at different time points were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MCP-1, CD68, CD45RO, and in situ hybridization (ISH) for MCP-1, using chronic periumbilical dermititis as controls. The expressions of MCP-1 in HaCaT cell culture after nickel treatment were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Read More

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2017 Nov 11;17(12):83. Epub 2017 Nov 11.

Allergy Research Group, Department of Dermatology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 7, 79104, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

Contact sensitization is the initial process involved in the development of an allergic reaction to xenobiotic environmental substances. Here, we briefly describe the differences between irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. Then, we highlight the essential steps involved in the development of an ACD reaction, i. Read More

Genes (Basel) 2017 Nov 10;8(11). Epub 2017 Nov 10.

Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.

Contact with poison ivy plants is widely dreaded because they produce a natural product called urushiol that is responsible for allergenic contact delayed-dermatitis symptoms lasting for weeks. For this reason, the catchphrase most associated with poison ivy is "leaves of three, let it be", which serves the purpose of both identification and an appeal for avoidance. Ironically, despite this notoriety, there is a dearth of specific knowledge about nearly all other aspects of poison ivy physiology and ecology. Read More

J Immunotoxicol 2017 Dec;14(1):204-214

a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA.

Didecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) is a fourth generation dialkyl-quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) that is used in numerous products for its antimicrobial properties. While many QACs have been associated with allergic disease, the toxicity and sensitization of DDAB have not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the irritancy and sensitization potential of DDAB following dermal application in a murine model. Read More

J Exp Med 2017 Dec 30;214(12):3791-3811. Epub 2017 Oct 30.

Institute for Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany

Mast cells (MCs) and dendritic cells (DCs) are essential innate sentinels populating host-environment interfaces. Using longitudinal intravital multiphoton microscopy of DC/MC reporter mice, we herein provide in vivo evidence that migratory DCs execute targeted cell-to-cell interactions with stationary MCs before leaving the inflamed skin to draining lymph nodes. During initial stages of skin inflammation, DCs dynamically scan MCs, whereas at a later stage, long-lasting interactions predominate. Read More

Nat Commun 2017 10 30;8(1):980. Epub 2017 Oct 30.

Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.

Although both persistent itch and inflammation are commonly associated with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), it is not known if they are mediated by shared or distinct signaling pathways. Here we show that both TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels are required for generating spontaneous scratching in a mouse model of ACD induced by squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE), a small molecule hapten, through directly promoting the excitability of pruriceptors. TRPV1 but not TRPA1 channels protect the skin inflammation, as genetic ablation of TRPV1 function or pharmacological ablation of TRPV1-positive sensory nerves promotes cutaneous inflammation in the SADBE-induced ACD. Read More

Contact Dermatitis 2017 Nov;77(5):333-335

Department of Dermatology, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, UCL, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2017 ;27(5):318-319

Department of Pulmonology, Division of Allergy, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.

Toxicol Sci 2018 Jan;161(1):139-148

UMR996 - Inflammation, Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Univ Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France.

Allergic contact dermatitis is regarded as the most frequent expression of immunotoxicity in humans. Many odorant terpenes commonly used in fragrance compositions are considered as weak skin sensitizers, whereas some of their autoxidation products, allylic hydroperoxides, are classified as strong sensitizers according to the local lymph node assay. However, the mechanism of their effects on the immune system remains unclear. Read More

J Med Entomol 2017 Nov;54(6):1560-1566

Department of Agronomy Food Natural Resources Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Universita 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy.

Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is harmful to conifer trees because of defoliation and to public health because of the release of urticating setae from the caterpillars. Contact with setae by humans and domestic animals induces dermatitis, usually localized to the exposed areas. Recent studies demonstrated the presence of a complex urticating mechanism where proteins present in the setae may play a role as activators of immune responses. Read More

J Immunol 2017 11 2;199(9):3137-3146. Epub 2017 Oct 2.

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role in directing immune responses. Previous studies have identified a variety of DC subsets and elucidated their context-dependent functions that parallel those of effector Th cell subsets. However, little is known about the DC subsets responsible for differentiation of Th2 cells governing allergic contact dermatitis. Read More

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2017 11 21;37(11):2128-2135. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

From the Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway (T.V.K., T.R., A.T., E.N., T.S., M.W., O.T., H.W.); and Departments of Medicine (E.N.) and Pathology (M.W.), Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.

Objective: Lymphatic vessels play an important role in body fluid, as well as immune system homeostasis. Although the role of malfunctioning or missing lymphatics has been studied extensively, less is known on the functional consequences of a chronically expanded lymphatic network or lymphangiogenesis.

Approach And Results: To this end, we used K14-VEGF-C (keratin-14 vascular endothelial growth factor-C) transgenic mice overexpressing the vascular endothelial growth factor C in skin and investigated the responses to inflammatory and fluid volume challenges. Read More

J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2017 Aug 11;10(4):252-260. Epub 2017 Jul 11.

Shandong Medicine Technician College, Tai'an, Shandong, China. Electronic address:

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Topical corticosteroids are the first-line therapy for ACD despite their significant adverse effects. Acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of various skin diseases, but its underlying mechanism remains unrevealed. Read More

Expert Opin Ther Pat 2018 Jan 18;28(1):47-59. Epub 2017 Sep 18.

a Cancer Molecular Targeted Herbal Research Center, College of Korean Medicine , Kyung Hee University , Seoul , South Korea.

Introduction: Although many caspase inhibitors have been patented, caspase inhibitors have not entered the market due to their toxicity and poor pharmacokinetic profile. Areas covered: In this article, we review patents (2013-2015) for peptide and non-peptide caspase inhibitors and their compositions. Expert opinion: Noteworthy patents include a peptidic caspase-2 inhibitor for nasal administration and a peptidomimetic caspase-6 inhibitor that can be administered via several routes for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Read More

Toxicol In Vitro 2017 Dec 4;45(Pt 1):134-145. Epub 2017 Sep 4.

BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Electronic address:

While the skin sensitization hazard of substances can already be identified using non-animal methods, the classification of potency sub-categories GHS-1A and 1B is still challenging. Potency can be measured by the dose at which an effect is observed; since the protein-adduct formation is determining the dose of the allergen in the skin, peptide reactivity was used to assess the potency. The Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (DPRA; one concentration and reaction-time) did not sufficiently discriminate between sub-categories 1A and 1B (56% accuracy compared to LLNA data, n=124). Read More

Contact Dermatitis 2017 Oct;77(4):253-254

Dermatology Department, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010, Alicante, Spain.

Acta Derm Venereol 2018 Jan;98(1):50-58

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, DE-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.

Differential diagnosis of palmoplantar non-pustular psoriasis and chronic allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and the combination of these conditions, termed "eczema in psoriatico" (EIP), is difficult, especially in cases of isolated involvement. A blind re-evaluation of 63 archived formalin-fixed palmoplantar samples, previously diagnosed clinically as either psoriasis or chronic ACD, was performed. Samples were allocated to histopathological diagnoses of psoriasis, contact dermatitis or EIP. Read More

Biol Pharm Bull 2017 Nov 26;40(11):2010-2013. Epub 2017 Aug 26.

Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka.

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a plasticizer used for many consumer products including cosmetics. Potential health concerns regarding DBP include reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption and neurotoxicity. DBP is a high priority chemical as to reduction of exposure of children to it. Read More

Photochem Photobiol Sci 2017 Sep;16(9):1471-1479

Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana" University of Salerno, Italy.

Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is described as a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DTHR) toward a de novo light-induced antigen, yet to be identified. In effect, the inflammatory pathways of PLE and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) share common patterns in terms of the mediators involved from the innate and adaptive immune system participating in the DTHR. As we have previously highlighted the role of interleukin (IL)-1 family members in ACD, we hypothesised that the same mediators could have similar functions in PLE. Read More

J Dermatol Sci 2017 Nov 4;88(2):184-191. Epub 2017 Aug 4.

Departments of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 signaling is involved in non-infectious immune and inflammatory reactions as well as in viral infections. The skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is often infected with virus and bacteria, leading to the aggravation of atopic symptoms. These findings suggest TLR3 signaling may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD, but the exact role of TLR3 in AD remains to be defined. Read More

Contact Dermatitis 2017 Dec 10;77(6):390-396. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00251, Helsinki, Finland.

Background: Contact urticaria (CU) and protein contact dermatitis (PCD) are mainly induced by an immediate, IgE-mediated immunological mechanism. Immediate sensitization is also linked to asthma and/or allergic rhinitis.

Objectives: To report causes of work-induced CU and PCD, and to evaluate the occurrence of concomitant airway diseases. Read More

CMAJ 2017 08;189(31):E1018

Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont.

Sci Immunol 2016 Sep;1(3):eaaf8665

Institut für Neuroimmunologie und Multiple Sklerose, Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie Hamburg, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany.

Skin-migratory dendritic cells (migDCs) are pivotal antigen-presenting cells that continuously transport antigens to draining lymph nodes and regulate immune responses. However, identification of migDCs is complicated by the lack of distinguishing markers, and it remains unclear which molecules determine their migratory capacity during inflammation. We show that, in the skin, the neuronal plasticity molecule activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein/activity-regulated gene 3. Read More

J Invest Dermatol 2017 Dec 31;137(12):2523-2531. Epub 2017 Jul 31.

Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA. Electronic address:

The retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors RORα and RORγ are critical for the functions of specific subsets of T cells and innate lymphoid cells, which are key drivers of inflammatory disease in barrier tissues. Here, we investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of SR1001, a synthetic RORα/γ inverse agonist, in mouse models of atopic dermatitis and acute irritant dermatitis. Topical treatment with SR1001 reduces epidermal and dermal features of MC903-induced atopic dermatitis-like disease and suppresses the production of type 2 cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in lesional skin. Read More

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2018 Jan 18;45(1):27-33. Epub 2017 Sep 18.

Department of Physiology and Molecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Hoshi University, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Contact dermatitis is a form of delayed-type hypersensitivity characterized by localized thickening, papules, redness and vesicles of the skin. A model of contact dermatitis involving repeated challenge of a hapten is adapted to assess dermatitis as characterized by skin thickening. Recently, it was reported that neutrophils have crucial roles in contact hypersensitivity. Read More

J Immunol 2017 09 26;199(5):1827-1834. Epub 2017 Jul 26.

Department of Dermatology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710;

The innate immune components that modulate allergic contact hypersensitivity (CHS) responses are poorly defined. Using human skin from contact dermatitis patients and a mouse model of CHS, we find that hapten allergens disrupt the Arginase1 (Arg1) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) dynamic in monocytes/macrophages (mono/MΦ), which renders those cells ineffectual in suppressing skin inflammation. Mice lacking Arg1 in MΦ develop increased CHS characterized by elevated ear thickening, mono/MΦ-dominated dermal inflammation, and increased iNOS and IL-6 expression compared with control mice. Read More

J Dermatol Sci 2017 Sep 9;87(3):292-299. Epub 2017 Jul 9.

Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Department of Dermatology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: Application of haptens to the skin induces release of immune stimulatory ATP into the extracellular space. This "danger" signal can be converted to immunosuppressive adenosine (ADO) by the action of the ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73, expressed by skin and immune cells. Thus, the expression and regulation of CD73 by skin derived cells may have crucial influence on the outcome of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reactions. Read More