BACKGROUND: In atopic dermatitis (AD), monocytes, which accumulate in the inflamed skin, are characterized by a significantly impaired Toll-like receptors (TLR) expression and TLR2-mediated cytokine secretion. However, data on expression of TLR on monocytes of peripheral blood (PB) in AD are not available. OBJECTIVE: To investigate TLR2 and TLR4 expression on PB monocytes during AD exacerbation and to assess the relationships between TLR expressions with AD clinical severity and with serum interleukin (IL) 4, IL-10, and IL-17a levels. METHODS: The objective Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index, TLR2 and TLR4 expression on CD14(+) human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR(+)) PB monocytes by flow cytometry, serum IL-4, IL-10, IL-17a (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and total immunoglobulin E levels were measured at study entry and after 4 months in patients with AD and healthy controls. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients with AD, 35 women (45.1%) and 47 men (54.9%), mean (standard deviation [SD]) age, 42.2 ± 11.5 years, were included. Thirty healthy volunteers served as controls. We observed a significant difference in the levels of TLR2 expression in the CD14(+) HLA-DR(+) PB monocytes of patients with AD (mean [SD], 51.6 ± 23.1% and 264 ± 118 cells/mm(3)) at exacerbation (but not at the end of the 4-month postexacerbation period) compared with the healthy control subjects (mean [SD], 22.3 ± 10.6% and 105 ± 50 cells/mm(3); p < 0.001). TLR4 expression in PB monocytes was significantly greater in AD (mean [SD], 50.1 ± 20.9% and 275 ± 114 cells/mm(3)) than in the healthy subjects (mean [SD], 31.2 ± 8.7% and 147 ± 41 cells/mm(3); p < 0.001) both at exacerbation and at the 4-month postexacerbation period. Significant correlations between TLR2(+) (but not TLR4(+)) PB monocytes and the objective Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index (r = 0.604, p < 0.001), serum levels of IL-17a and TLR2(+) PB monocytes (r = 0.416, p = 0.027), and IL-4 and TLR2(+) PB monocytes (r = -0.307, p = 0.014) were observed during AD exacerbation. CONCLUSION: PB CD14(+) HLA-DR(+) TLR2(+) monocytes might have a role in the skewing of a T-helper 2/T-helper 17-mediated immune response during AD flare.
BACKGROUND: In atopic dermatitis (AD), monocytes, which accumulate in the inflamed skin, are characterized by a significantly impaired Toll-like receptors (TLR) expression and TLR2-mediated cytokine secretion. However, data on expression of TLR on monocytes of peripheral blood (PB) in AD are not available. OBJECTIVE: To investigate TLR2 and TLR4 expression on PB monocytes during AD exacerbation and to assess the relationships between TLR expressions with AD clinical severity and with serum interleukin (IL) 4, IL-10, and IL-17a levels. METHODS: The objective Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index, TLR2 and TLR4 expression on CD14(+) human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR(+)) PB monocytes by flow cytometry, serum IL-4, IL-10, IL-17a (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and total immunoglobulin E levels were measured at study entry and after 4 months in patients with AD and healthy controls. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients with AD, 35 women (45.1%) and 47 men (54.9%), mean (standard deviation [SD]) age, 42.2 ± 11.5 years, were included. Thirty healthy volunteers served as controls. We observed a significant difference in the levels of TLR2 expression in the CD14(+) HLA-DR(+) PB monocytes of patients with AD (mean [SD], 51.6 ± 23.1% and 264 ± 118 cells/mm(3)) at exacerbation (but not at the end of the 4-month postexacerbation period) compared with the healthy control subjects (mean [SD], 22.3 ± 10.6% and 105 ± 50 cells/mm(3); p < 0.001). TLR4 expression in PB monocytes was significantly greater in AD (mean [SD], 50.1 ± 20.9% and 275 ± 114 cells/mm(3)) than in the healthy subjects (mean [SD], 31.2 ± 8.7% and 147 ± 41 cells/mm(3); p < 0.001) both at exacerbation and at the 4-month postexacerbation period. Significant correlations between TLR2(+) (but not TLR4(+)) PB monocytes and the objective Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index (r = 0.604, p < 0.001), serum levels of IL-17a and TLR2(+) PB monocytes (r = 0.416, p = 0.027), and IL-4 and TLR2(+) PB monocytes (r = -0.307, p = 0.014) were observed during AD exacerbation. CONCLUSION: PB CD14(+) HLA-DR(+) TLR2(+) monocytes might have a role in the skewing of a T-helper 2/T-helper 17-mediated immune response during AD flare.
Authors: Ángel Arias; María Vicario; David Bernardo; José M Olalla; Marina Fortea; Ana Montalban-Arques; Pilar Martínez-Fernández; Ana M González-Castro; Teresa Mota-Huertas; Laura Arias-González; Alfredo J Lucendo Journal: Clin Transl Gastroenterol Date: 2018-04-25 Impact factor: 4.488