Regulatory cells in the skin: pathophysiological role and potential targets for anti-inflammatory therapies

Publication date: Available online 18 January 2019

Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Author(s): Sagar Uttarkar, Nicolo Costantino Brembilla, Wolf-Henning Boehncke

Abstract

Inflammation is a fundamental defence mechanism to protect the body from danger, which becomes potentially harmful if it turns chronic. Therapeutic strategies aimed at specifically blocking pro-inflammatory signals - particularly cytokines such as interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-13, interleukin-17A or tumour necrosis factor α - have substantially improved our ability to effectively and safely treat chronic inflammatory diseases. Much less efforts have been made to better understand the role of potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Here, we summarize the current understanding of regulatory cell populations in the context of chronic inflammation, namely macrophages, Langerhans cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory T and B lymphocytes. Emphasis is given to the skin as many different immune related diseases occur in the skin. Development, phenotype, function, and evidence for their role in animal models of inflammation as well as in the corresponding human diseases are described. Finally, the feasibility of using regulatory cells as targets for potentially disease-modifying therapeutic strategies is discussed.

http://bit.ly/2U1BTBm