Chemical mediators in atopic dermatitis: Involvement of leukotriene B sub(4) released by a type I allergic reaction in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis

The mediators produced from a type I allergic reaction have not yet been able to explain the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). The purpose of this study was to elucidate the involvement of leukotriene (LT) B sub(4) produced from a type I allergic reaction in the pathogenesis of AD. The release of LTB sub(4) was measured both in vitro, in passively sensitized and antigen-challenged human skin slices, as well as in vivo, in skin chambers on patients with AD. LTB sub(4) was released from in vitro human skin by stimulation of the antigen (54.9 plus or minus 14.6 pg/g wet weight of skin by antigen challenge and 28.0 plus or minus 11.1 pg/g in control skin, P < .002). Antigen-specific release of LTB sub(4) and histamine was also observed in vivo in nonlesional skin from the patients with AD by using the skin chamber technique. LTB sub(4) release during type I allergic reaction in human skin has been determined in vitro. The released LTB sub(4) possibly contributes to cellular response at the acute inflammatory lesion of AD.