Pollen Grains Induce a Rapid and Biphasic Eczematous Immune Response in Atopic Eczema Patients

Vol. 145, No. 3, 2008

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Original Paper

Pollen Grains Induce a Rapid and Biphasic Eczematous Immune Response in Atopic Eczema Patients
Kilian Eyerich^a, Johannes Huss-Marp^a, Ulf Darsow^{a, b}, Andreas Wollenberg^c, Stefanie Foerster^a, Johannes Ring^{a, b}, Heidrun Behrendt^a, Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann^a

^aDivision of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy GSF, ZAUM - Center for Allergy and Environment, Technical University and
^bDepartment of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University and
^cDepartment of Dermatology and Allergy, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2008;145:213-223 (DOI: 10.1159/000109290)

Key Words

Pollen
Atopic eczema
Nickel
Contact dermatitis

Abstract

Introduction: Eczematous reactions to type I allergy-inducing antigens are documented in a subgroup of patients with atopic eczema. Yet, the underlying immunological mechanisms are not well understood. Material and Methods: To delineate the effect of native pollen grains on human skin of healthy and atopic individuals we performed patch tests (atopy patch test with native pollen grains, PPT). Nickel patch tests (NPT) served as an established model of contact dermatitis. Skin site biopsies were taken 6-96 h after allergen application and investigated immunohistochemically. Results: Histology of positive patch tests showed an influx of mononuclear cells (predominantly CD4+, CD25+, CD45RO+). This influx was detected earlier in the PPT reaction than in the immune response to nickel. A biphasic cytokine response could be detected in the PPT: IL-5 dominated in the early, IFN- gamma in the late phase. The NPT was continuously dominated by IFN- gamma . Dendritic cell subpopulations imitated the earlier kinetics of the mononuclear infiltrate. Discussion: Thus, pollen grains induce eczematous reactions in susceptible individuals. This reaction appears clinically and immunohistochemically similar to the contact hypersensitivity reaction to nickel but follows a faster kinetic and a biphasic course: Th2 and IgE in the early (24 h) and Th1 predominance in the late (96 h) phase.

Author Contacts

Correspondence to: PD Dr. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
Division of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy TUM/GSF
Biedersteinerstrasse 29, DE-80802 Munich (Germany)
Tel. +49 89 4140 3472, Fax +49 89 4140 3453
E-Mail Claudia.Traidl-Hoffmann@lrz.tum.de

Article Information

Kilian Eyerich and Johannes Huss-Marp contributed equally to this work.

Received: November 14, 2006
Accepted after revision: July 4, 2007
Published online: October 3, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 11
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 44

Medline Abstract (ID 17914273)

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