Natural Killer Cells in Atopic and Autoimmune Skin Diseases

January 2010 in “ Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology ”

Dagmar von Bubnoff, Emmanuel Andrès, François Hentges, Thomas Bieber, Tatiana Michel, Jacques Zimmer

natural killer cells alopecia areata atopic dermatitis psoriasis pemphigus vulgaris T<sub>H</sub>2 cytokine IFN-γ NK cells interferon gamma

TLDR NK cells play a role in skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis.

The document reviewed the role of natural killer (NK) cells in atopic and autoimmune skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, alopecia areata, and pemphigus vulgaris. It highlighted NK cells' involvement in these conditions through cytokine production and immune cell infiltration. In alopecia areata, increased NK cell activity contributed to hair loss by disrupting immune privilege in hair follicles. In psoriasis, NK cells exacerbated skin inflammation, while in pemphigus vulgaris, a Th2-biased NK cell phenotype was observed. The study emphasized the complex roles of NK cells in disease pathogenesis and their potential as targets for therapeutic strategies.

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