Table 2.

Mechanism of action of pimecrolimus, tacrolimus and topical corticosteroids

Parameter	Pimecrolimus	Tacrolimus	Corticosteroids
Activity on cells	T lymphocytes Mast cells	T lymphocytes Mast cells Eosinophils, basophils Langerhans cells	T lymphocytes Mast cells Eosinophils, basophils Langerhans cells Keratinocytes Endothelial cells Fibroblasts
Cytokines	IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, INF-γ, TNF-α	IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, INF-γ, TNF-α	IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, INF-γ, TNF-α, INF-α, GM-CSF
Function of blocking and apoptosis of Langerhans cells	−	+	+ +
Absorption through the skin	+	+ +	+ + +
Atrophogenic activity	−	−	+ + +