The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (V): biology and role of inflammatory cells in cutaneous allergic reactions

Numerous inflammatory cells are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (AD) although, in the past, mast cells were con sidered the most important. However, evidence for this assumption is lackin g. In this paper, we review the literature concerning the role of inflammat ory cells in allergic reactions and conclude that a complex interplay exist s between a wide variety of cell types. Thus, on the basis of the available evidence, the cells that appear to be the most important in the pathogenes is of canine AD are Langerhans' cells and dermal dendritic cells (both resp onsible for antigen processing and presentation), B-lymphocytes (responsibl e for reaginic antibody production), allergen-specific helper T-lymphocytes (responsible for cytokine production leading to activation of B-cells and other inflammatory cells) and mast cells (production of inflammatory mediat ors leading to inflammation). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.