Allergic contact dermatitis: novel immunohistologic features.
Leu-8 is a novel antigen expressed by the majority of mature T cells and certain other cells. Recent studies of the allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction indicate that both Leu-8+ and Leu-8- subsets of Leu-3+ T cells have important functions in cell-mediated immunity in vitro. In order to determine whether Leu-3+8+ and/or Leu-3+8- T cells are present in cell-mediated immune reactions in vivo, we studied the immunohistology of allergic contact dermatitis in 8 biopsies from 8 patients with positive patch tests and 3 biopsies from 2 patients with Rhus dermatitis. Both Leu-3+8+ and Leu-3+8- T cells were present in each biopsy. Only 1 case had a definite minority of the Leu-3+8+ subset. These results suggest that, analogous to in vitro systems, both Leu-8+ and Leu-8- subsets of Leu-3+ T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity in vivo. HLA-DR+ keratinocytes were present in only 3 of 11 biopsies at days 3-7. No HLA-DQ+ keratinocytes were identified. We also confirmed prior findings that Leu-3+ cells are the predominant T-cell population, Langerhans cells are increased, and B cells and NK cells are rare. Furthermore, Tac and Ki-67 expression by T cells and Leu-3 expression by Langerhans cells tended to increase over time.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000145:classification; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology
D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D007633:Keratins