Thymic stromal lymphopoietin–activated invariant natural killer T cells trigger an innate allergic immune response in atopic dermatitis

Altered Peripheral Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Atopic Dermatitis

“…In agreement with our results, four previous publications demonstrated diminished numbers of iNKT cells in AD patients; conversely, two groups found increased numbers of these cells [25,[40][41][42][43]26]. These contradictory results suggest that further investigations are needed, as it is possible that not only differences in the applied methods but also differences in the patient selection (extrinsic-intrinsic AD, mild-moderate-severe AD) may alter the iNKT cell number.…”

Strategies targeting the IL-4/IL-13 axes in disease

“…Both CD4 + and CD8 + cells from lesional and non-lesional biopsies express intracellular IL-4 and IL-13 with CD8 + cell distribution biased to the epidermis and CD4 + cell distribution biased to the dermis [196]. IL-4 + and IL-13 + iNKTs have been found in AD PBMCs with frequency of iNKTs in AD PBMCs and AD lesions correlated with disease severity [197]; IL-4 + NKTs have also been found in AD lesions [198].…”

Modifications of the Innate Immune System in Atopic Dermatitis

“…Invariant NKT cells have been shown to be increased both among peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in the skin of patients with severe AD compared to those with mild or moderate AD and healthy controls. Invariant NKT cells have been shown to express the TSLP receptor and can be activated by TSLP to secrete IL-4 and IL-13 [37] . Transgenic mice with a skin-specific overexpression of TSLP develop an AD-like phenotype with eczematous lesions and inflammatory cellular dermal infiltrates, an increase in CD4+ Th2 cells with expression of homing receptors and increased IgE serum levels.…”