Abstract
Pathogenesis of contact dermatitis involves virtually all elements of skin and draining lymph nodes in complex networks of cell and soluble mediator interactions that affect disease. Prime participants in these networks are the dendritic cells and macrophages of the skin. Induction of immunity to antigens placed on or arising within the epidermis is largely dependent on resident Langerhans' cells that trap, process, and traffic antigen to draining lymph nodes and there present antigen to T cells. Expression of T-cellmediated immunity to these antigens is effected by blood-derived inflammatory macrophages in a vigorous attempt to eliminate the foreign agent within the skin. Such effector reactions underlie the acute eczematous response and tissue injury characteristic of contact dermatitis.
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