Experimental approaches to lymphocyte migration in dermatology in vitro and in vivo

Lymphocyte trafficking through the dermal compartment is part of the physiological surveillance process of the adaptive immune system. On the other hand, persistent or recurrent lymphocyte infiltrates are hallmarks of both types of chronic inflammatory skin diseases, Th1-type such as psoriasis or Th2/allergic-type like atopic dermatitis. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying lymphocyte movements is one of the key prerequisites for developing more effective therapies. In this review, we introduce a range of simple-to-sophisticated experimental in vitro and in vivo approaches to analyze lymphocyte migration. These methods start from static in vitro adhesion and chemotaxis assays, include dynamic endothelial flow chamber, intravital dual photon, and transcutaneous live-video microscopy, and finally encompass specific genetically deficient or engineered animal models. Discussing pros and cons of these assay systems hopefully generates both state-of-the-art knowledge about the factors involved in most common chronic skin diseases as well as an improved understanding of the limitations and chances of new biologic pharmaceuticals that are currently introduced into clinical practice.