Increased jejunal intraepithelial lymphocytes bearing gamma/delta T-cell receptor in dermatitis herpetiformis.
T-cell receptor 1 (gamma/delta) expression was studied in 19 jejunal or duodenal specimens from patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and in 16 jejunal or duodenal specimens showing normal histology. In normal specimens, gamma/delta+ cells represented 10.8% of intraepithelial CD3+ lymphocytes. Around 50% of these cells were recognized by the A13 monoclonal antibody, which detects products of the V gamma 1/V delta 1 gene rearrangement and the non-disulfide-linked form of T-cell receptor 1. The remaining 50% reacted with the BB3 monoclonal antibody, which recognizes products of the V gamma 9/V delta 2 rearrangement and the disulfide-linked form of receptor. Very few gamma/delta+ cells were observed in the lamina propria. In jejunal specimens from patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, a significant increase in the prevalence of gamma/delta+ intraepithelial lymphocytes was observed (P less than 0.001). This finding was largely accounted for by an increase in those cells recognized by the A13 monoclonal antibody, thus possibly expressing the V gamma 1/V delta 1 rearrangement and the nondisulfide-linked form of receptor. These data suggest that similar pathogenetic mechanisms may be active in determining the jejunal damage in celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.
Vecchi
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.
Crosti
L
L
Berti
E
E
Agape
D
D
Cerri
A
A
De Franchis
R
R
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000276:immunology*; D016694:Gene Rearrangement, delta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta