Skin-derived aeroallergen-specific T-cell clones of Th2 phenotype in patients with atopic dermatitis.
T-cell lines have been derived from aeroallergen-induced eczematous patch test sites of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Biopsy specimens were obtained 24 hours after allergen application to the skin, and only in vivo-activated T cells were propagated. From one patient, the T-cell lines were subcloned at 0.3 cells per well. With allergen-induced interleukin (IL) production, all clones tested (n = 13) were found to be specific for the allergen, producing IL-4 and granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor. No IL-2 or interferon-gamma was found. The allergen-specific proliferative response of these clones, although the response was dependent on exogenous IL-2 or IL-4, also proved that all clones were allergen specific. Under optimal stimulation (aCD3 plus phorbol myristate acetate), 15% of the clones appeared to be of Th0 phenotype and 70% of Th2 phenotype. In 15% of the clones, IL-4 was produced in the absence of IL-2, IL-5, or interferon-gamma. Supernatants of all clones tested induced IgE production by B cells from normal non-atopic donors. The T-cell lines of the other patient demonstrated similar results; allergen-specific proliferation was dependent on exogenous IL-2 or IL-4 and stimulation with aCD3 plus phorbol myristate acetate demonstrated that the T cells in these lines were of the Th2 phenotype. In conclusion, our data reveal that, in AD, percutaneous sensitization to aeroallergens may occur and indicate that allergen-specific Th2 type T cells may be responsible for the high levels of (specific) IgE found in 80% of patients with AD.
van Reijsen
F C
FC
Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research, Davos.
Bruijnzeel-Koomen
C A
CA
Kalthoff
F S
FS
Maggi
E
E
Romagnani
S
S
Westland
J K
JK
Mudde
G C
GC
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002999:Clone Cells; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000939:Epitopes; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D010641:Phenotype; D012016:Reference Values; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000485:Allergens; D000941:Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D000939:Epitopes; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007073:Immunoglobulin E