Toward a Molecular Diagnosis: Looking Under the Skin at Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Current Dermatology Reports
Abstract
Purpose of Review: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is diagnosed by patch testing, which is a visual examination. This review summarizes research studies that have identified inflammatory pathways involved in ACD. Recent Findings: ACD was historically thought to be driven solely through Th1 immunity. More recent clinical insights in the era of targeted immunotherapy have revealed an important, but not a paramount, role for Th2 immunity in promoting ACD inflammation. Pioneering studies done first in animal models of ACD suggest there are unique T cell responses dependent upon contact allergen and recent human translational studies demonstrate the diversity of T cell responses to various allergens, which may in part explain the mixed success of immunotherapy in ACD. Summary: Unbiased machine learning approaches in the era of single-cell transcriptome and proteome studies have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the pathophysiology of ACD, identify common pathways in responses to allergens, and perhaps discover central targets for universal therapy.
DOI
10.1007/s13671-023-00410-y
Publication Date
11-9-2023
Keywords
contact dermatitis, patch testing, Th1 Th2 Th17 inflammation, allergy
ISSN
2162-4933
Recommended Citation
Bahamon I, Strassner JP, Ko WC. Toward a Molecular Diagnosis: Looking Under the Skin at Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Current Dermatology Reports. 2023; . doi: 10.1007/s13671-023-00410-y.
