- Cell therapy for atopic dermatitis
➜ DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.06.021
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been found to play a role in regulating immune responses. Allogenic human bone marrow-derived clonal MSCs (hcMSCs) were administered intravenously weekly for 3 weeks in volunteers with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) by Korean investigators, with improvement of objective scores at 12 weeks, with limited side effects. Long term data and larger series are needed to confirm the validity of this approach in refractory cases.
- Ciclosporin and methotrexate (MTX) in children
➜ DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljae276
Complementary results from the TREAT trial. When comparing cyclosporin with the non-nephrotoxic molecule MTX, the authors conclude that CyA was not associated with decreased renal function compared to baseline or with worse renal outcomes than MTX over 26 a 36-week treatment period. But overall MTX remains a cheaper option for low-resource countries, inducing in addition better disease control following cessation of treatment.
- Exploring the Potentiality of a Plant Platform for anti IL31 production for canine AD
➜ DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060620
One of the most effective canine AD treatments is a caninized monoclonal antibody called Lokivetmab. It is produced in CHO cells and targets specifically canine IL-31. However, its production in mammalian cells requires time-consuming procedures and high production costs. This study shows that a plant-production platform can be utilized to produce rapidly functional monoclonal antibodies and challenges also production costs for human medicine and human AD.
- The Neglected Role of Sweat in Atopic Dermatitis
➜ DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.05.003
This comment highlights the consequences for AD of a recent Japanese paper (10.1016/j.jid.2024.02.025) studying the influence of sweat in a murine model of contact sensitivity, showing that epicutaneously applied haptens penetrated more readily when sweating was transiently suppressed around 6 hours before haptens were applied. This paper highlights the importance of sweating disturbance as a potential inducer/enhancer of allergic inflammation, which might predispose individuals to become sensitized to low concentrations of allergens. Of note, the increased incidence of AD in hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is well known but poorly understood. The authors, based on their own results in filaggrin deficient mice, suggest that sweat from sweat pores at the folds in human skin is an efficient natural moisturizer that provides protective immunity against various allergens at points of allergen entry.
- Early emollient application to prevent AD: the final word?
➜ DOI: 10.3310/RHDN9613
The authors report the results at 5 years of the BEEP study, a large RCT examining whether emollient application from birth can prevent AD in high-risk children. The results remain negative, confirming the Lancet paper published after two years of follow-up. Following an extensive discussion, the authors consider that the bulk of the literature confirms their findings and that we need to turn the page to test other preventive interventions to limit the burden of AD and allergies.