Background.Several studies have investigated levels of T-cell-derived interleukin(IL)-10 in individuals with atopic dermatitis,with conflicting results.Aims/Hypothesis.In order to address whether stratification of disease severity may help resolve the different findings,the hypothesis was tested that individuals with severe atopic dermatitis have a lower frequency of circulating IL-10-producing,allergen-specific CD4+T cells than do individuals with mild disease.Methods.Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from individuals with severe(n = 12)and mild atopic dermatitis(n = 10)and from nonatopic controls(n = 10),we investigated production by CD4+T cells of tumour necrosis factor(TNF)-α,IL-4,IL-5,IL-13 and IL-10 in response to phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycinand Der p1 allergen.Results.It was observed that there were significantly higher frequencies of allergen-specific circulating CD4+T cells producing TNF-α-IL-4-,IL-5-and IL-13,and lower frequencies of these cells producing IL-10 in individuals with severe atopic dermatitis compared with mildly affected individuals and nonatopic controls(P < 0.01 for all comparisons).Furthermore,the Der p1-specific CD4+T cells were enriched within the subset of cells positive for cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen.Conclusions.Analysis of levels of allergen-specific CD4+T-cell production of IL-10 in relation to disease severity argues in favour of a role for IL-10 in the control of atopic dermatitis.
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