title: Characterization of nickel-specific T cell clones.
abstract: Nickel is the major cause of metal-induced allergic dermatitis. Twelve nickel-specific T cell clones were used to investigate the cellular immune reactions occurring in nickel sensitivity. The selection between the alternative T cell receptors alpha beta and gamma delta and two alternative V beta genes (V beta 5 and V beta 8) were studied to see if nickel induces a selective pressure for clones bearing particular genes. Cell surface markers were studied by monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Soluble mediators were measured by an ELISA method. The clones used T cell receptor alpha beta genes but did not use V beta 5 or V beta 8. They were T helper clones with a primed memory marker (CD3+ CD4+ CD8- CD45RO+) and carried HLA-DR. None of the clones secreted IL-1 alpha, all of them secreted IL-2 receptor. Four clones secreted IL-1 beta, six IL-4 and seven IL-6, the peaks in IL-2R and IL-6 secretion preceding IL-4 secretion. The clones helped immunoglobulin synthesis. The clones from late effector phase of the nickel allergic reaction favours the use of T cell receptors alpha beta genes. Nickel-specific clones were phenotypically indistinguishable but differed in soluble mediators produced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silvennoinen-Kassinen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Poikonen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ikäheimo
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009532:Nickel / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D007378:Interleukins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D009532:Nickel