Mutual Antagonism of T Cells Causing Psoriasis and Atopic Eczema

Abstract

The simultaneous occurrence of psoriasis driven by type 1 helper T (Th1) cells and type 17 helper T (Th17) cells and atopic eczema dominated by type 2 helper T (Th2) cells is rare. Here, we describe three patients with co-occurring psoriasis and atopic eczema with an antagonistic course and distinct T-cell infiltrates in lesions from psoriasis and those from atopic eczema. Sensitized patients with psoriasis had a reac- tion to epicutaneous allergen challenge, with clinically and histologically verified eczema lesions containing a large number of allergen-reactive T cells. These find- ings support a causative role for T cells triggered by specific antigens in both psoria- sis and atopic eczema. (Supported by the German Research Foundation and others.)