T cell receptor gamma delta bearing cells are decreased in the peripheral blood of patients with atopic diseases.
The biological role of T cell receptor (TCR) gamma delta bearing cells is currently not fully understood. Recently, a monoclonal antibody (TCR delta 1) reacting against the whole molecule became available which facilitates the direct analysis of TCR-gamma delta+ cells. We studied 11 children with atopic dermatitis, 20 children with atopic asthma, 18 adults with atopic dermatitis and 38 healthy age matched controls aged 4-51 years. Lymphocytes were isolated from heparinized peripheral blood and the proportion of TCR-gamma delta+ lymphocytes was determined by FACS analysis. Patients with atopic diseases yielded a significantly (P less than 0.01) lower proportion of TCR-gamma delta+ cells compared with normal controls (median 4.8% versus 7.1%). The percentage of TCR-gamma delta+ cells showed an age-dependent decline in both the patient group (r = -0.49, P less than 0.01) and the control group (r = -0.40, P less than 0.01). In addition, the proportion of cells which expressed CD8, TCR-gamma delta or CD4, TCR-gamma delta simultaneously was determined by double labelling immunofluorescence. Whereas CD4+, TCR-gamma delta+ cells could be identified in only a few individuals, CD8+, TCR-gamma delta+ cells were found in nearly all controls (median 2.4%, range 0.0-10.8%); atopic patients displayed significantly (P less than 0.01) lower proportions of CD8+, TCR-gamma delta+ cells.
Schauer
U
U
Department of Pediatrics, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.
Dippel
E
E
Gieler
U
U
Bräuer
J
J
Jung
T
T
Heymanns
J
J
Rieger
C H
CH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D013806:Theophylline; D001507:Beclomethasone; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D000420:Albuterol