An in vitro study of IgE production in severe atopic dermatitis.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 4 patients with severe atopic dermatitis and with high serum IgE levels produced measurable amounts of IgE in vitro in repeated tests. These patients had increased numbers of IgE-bearing peripheral blood lymphocytes on at least one test occasion. No measurable IgE production in vitro was found in 6 other patients with atopic dermatitis and in 3 healthy controls. Inhibition of the IgE production was observed following treatment with PHA, Con A, PWM, mixed lymphocyte culture and radiation. LPS and histamine induced neither definite stimulation nor inhibition of IgE production. Supernatants from Con A stimulated cells were used in tests for suppressor factors. The hypothesis that depressed suppressor function of the T cells might be responsible for the tendency to increased IgE production in atopic dermatitis is discussed.