Sequential immunophenotypic study of lymphoid infiltrate in allergic and irritant reactions.
Sequential biopsies (4-72 h) of early allergic and irritant patch test reactions have been examined immunohistologically for reactivity with 19 monoclonal antibodies against antigens on lymphoid cells in order to investigate the nature/origin of the infiltrating lymphoid cells and assess their state of activation/proliferation. The composition of the infiltrates was similar in allergic and irritant reactions and consisted of T-lymphocytes of helper/inducer types in association with T-cell accessory cells, i.e., Langerhans cells and HLA-DR-positive macrophages. No differences in expression of T-cell or macrophage associated antigens were seen in early as opposed to late biopsies. In contrast, the proportion of cells positive for markers associated with activation (interleukin-2 receptor) or proliferation (transferrin receptor, the Ki-67 nuclear antigen) of lymphoid cells was found to increase with time in both types of reaction. These data substantiate the view that T-cell immune reactions are implicated in both allergic and toxic patch test lesions, and indicate that the lymphocytes in the infiltrates are activated and proliferate.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000145:classification; D008875:Middle Aged; D012882:Skin Tests; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens