Circulating activated T lymphocytes in autoeczematization.
METHODS
Autoeczematization, the symmetric diffuse spread of a previously localized dermatitis, has an unclear etiology although some investigators have postulated that activated T lymphocytes play a role. Two estimates of activation of peripheral T lymphocytes are the cell surface expression of the HLA-DR antigen and the interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R). We measured the percentage of circulating activated T lymphocytes in nine patients with autoeczematization compared with normal controls (n = 10), patients with stasis dermatitis (n = 6), and patients with severe (n = 10) or mild (n = 8) psoriasis. The percentage of activated T lymphocytes was determined by fluorescent, activated cell sorter analysis of peripheral leukocytes doubly stained with antibodies to T lymphocytes and HLA-DR antigen or IL-2R.


RESULTS
Statistically significant elevations of HLA-DR- and IL-2R--positive T lymphocytes were seen in autoeczematization patients (P less than .004 and P less than .04, respectively) and those with severe psoriasis (P less than .004 for HLA-DR antigen and IL-2R). Percentages of HLA-DR- and IL-2R--positive T lymphocytes in patients with mild psoriasis were not significantly elevated. Two patients with autoeczematization had a reduction of their previously elevated levels of HLA-DR- and IL-2R--positive T lymphocytes after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest a possible role for circulating activated T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of autoeczematization and possibly in severe psoriasis.
Kasteler
J S
JS
Department of Internal Medicine, Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, UT.
Petersen
M J
MJ
Vance
J E
JE
Zone
J J
JJ
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000276:immunology; D004485:Eczema / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid