The beta adrenergic system of lymphocytes in children with atopic dermatitis

A defect in the beta-adrenergic system is considered to be one of the basal causes of atopic dermatitis (AD). The number and affinity (KD) of beta-receptors was determined in lymphocytes of 19 children with AD and of 17 controls using the radioligand 125JCYP to find out whether this hypothesis is relevant. In addition, the basal cAMP level was measured as well as the cAMP-accumulation after stimulation of the adenylcyclase (AC) via the beta-receptor with 10(-4) M isoprenaline (IPN) and after direct stimulation of AC with 10(-4) M forskolin. Receptor quality and receptor quantity were compared to the severity of AD. A statistically significant difference between AD and control children was not registered for the following parameters: receptor-density, affinity for 125ICYP, cAMP-accumulation after adenylcyclase stimulation via the beta-receptor with IPN or after direct stimulation with forskolin. The increase in cAMP after IPN or forskolin was in the same range for children suffering from AD as for controls. Only the basal cAMP was significantly lower. Three patients with very severe AD (greater than 20% body surface area) had a significantly reduced number of beta-receptors (603 +/- 123 BS/Ly) compared with the control group (1142 +/- 112 BS/Ly). A linear relation existed between age, receptor density and isoprenaline-mediated cAMP accumulation for both control children and those with AD. This age-dependent response of the beta-receptor seems to be specific as cAMP-accumulation after stimulation with forskolin was not age-related.