Hyperactive Langerhans Cells Contribute To Eczema
Hyperactivity of one type of immune cell in the skin, called a Langerhans cell, may be involved in eczema. Langerhans cells are responsible for picking up viruses, bacteria, allergens and other foreign substances that invade the body and delivering them to other cells in the immune defense system. Langerhans cells appear to be hyperactive in the skin of people with atopic diseases. Certain Langerhans cells are particularly potent at activity white blood cells call T cells in atopic skin, which produce proteins that promote allergic response. This function results in an exaggerated response of the skin to tiny amounts of allergens.
This imbalance of Langerhans cells is a contributor to eczema. It appears that these cells regulate the part of the immune system that is responsible for response to allergens. The skin of people with eczema shows increased susceptibility to skin infections. This imbalance appears to result in the skin’s inability to prevent eczema or inflammation, even in areas of skin that may appear normal. In other words, people with eczema have skin that tends to “overreact” to substances that don’t affect people without the condition.
It is essential that people with eczema understand the triggers and either avoid them or use medications to mitigate the effects of those allergens.
Because some people with eczema seemed to have hyperactive immune system, many researchers are focusing on developing new treatments that focus on the body’s immunity responses. Researchers are working to understand how ultraviolet light affects the skin immune system in both healthy and diseased skin. They are also investigating biologic agents, including several aimed at modifying the response of the immune system. A biologic agent is a new type of drug based on molecules that occur naturally in the body.
Researchers are also experimenting with immunosuppressive drugs that may help treat severe cases of eczema. These drugs affect multiple cells and cell functions and may prove to an effective alternative to cortosteriods in the treatment of eczema.
Several treatments are being evaluated that attempt to replace substances that are deficient in people with eczema. Evening primrose oil is a substance rich in gamma-linolenic acid which is one the fatty acids that is decreased in the skin of people with eczema. Clinical trials with another substance, a dietary fatty acid supplement, are also underway.
Hopefully the studies that are being conducted will offer hope and help for people who have issues with Langerhans cells that cause the body to become out of balance. As scientists learn more and more about the effect of Langerhans cells the chances for managing eczema successfully will improve greatly.
Glossary:
Langerhans: A type of cell which affects the immunity of the skin.