Predominance of T lymphocytes in the dermal infiltrate of atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Tissue sections from diseased skin of 16 patients with atopic dermatitis were investigated with hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine-blue staining, with direct immunofluorescence staining using FITC[fluorescein isothiocyanate]-conjugated antisera against Ig[immunoglobulin]G F(ab'')2 and IgM, and with the indirect immunofluorescence method utilizing specific rabbit anti-human T [thymus-derived] lymphocyte antiserum with FITC-conjugated goat anti-rabbit Ig antiserum as the 2nd layer. Cryostat sections were investigated in a closed chamber immune adherence method using aminoethylisothiouronium bromide (AET) treated sheep red blood cells to detect E [erythrocyte] receptors on T lymphocytes, and with various types of coated sheep red blood cells to detect cells with IgG Fc receptors and complement factor C3b[b fragment of complement component 3] receptors. All sections presented dermal perivascular infiltrates of mononuclear cells judged by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Staining with toluidine-blue demonstrated varying numbers of mast cells but in no case pathologically increased the number. The majority of the infiltrating cells presented rimlike membrane fluorescence with the anti-T antiserum, and the AET treated sheep red blood cells (SRBC) adhered to the infiltrates, indicating a predominance of T lymphocytes in the skin infiltrates of atopic dermatitis.