T-lymphocyte cytokine profiles in Compositae airborne dermatitis

Compositae airborne dermatitis is a well-recognized disorder characterized by erythematosquamous lesions and papules on light-exposed areas. The prese nce of positive patch test reactions and the absence of specific serum IgE suggest delayed-type hypersensitivity, the murine model of which is charact erized by a Th1 cytokine production profile [high amounts of interferon (IF N)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2; little or no IL-4 and IL-5]. The aim of th is study was to evaluate the cytokine profile of T-cell lines and T-cell cl ones from peripheral blood in a 38-year-old non-atopic male woodcutter affe cted by seasonal airborne contact dermatitis. The patient showed positive p atch test reactions to several Compositae extracts (Achillea millefolium, C hamomilla recutita, Tanacetum parthenium, T. vulgare) and sesquiterpene lac tone mix. On prick testing with Compositae and other plants, serum-specific IgE levels and phototesting were negative or normal, Allergen-specific T-c ell lines produced with Compositae extracts showed a good in vitro cell pro liferation only to C. recutita extract, Serial cloning performed using the C. recutita-specific T-cell lines revealed an alpha beta+CD4+ phenotype wit h high amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in T-cell clones, Thus, these cells ex pressed a preferential Th0 phenotype. These data suggest that in addition t o IFN-gamma, other T-cell derived cytokines, such as IL-4, may play a part in the immunopathogenesis of contact dermatitis.