title: Increases in human epidermal DR+CD1+, DR+CD1-CD36+, and DR-CD3+ cells in allergic versus irritant patch test responses.
abstract: In an attempt to differentiate an allergic patch test response from an irritant response, we evaluated by flow cytometry the percentages of various epidermal cell populations isolated from allergen and irritant-treated patch test sites. Nine allergic individuals were patch tested with various allergens (Rhus, dinitrochlorobenzene [DNCB], or nickel chloride) and a vehicle control for 48 h. Eight additional individuals were patch tested with irritating chemicals (sodium lauryl sulfate or nonanoic acid) and with a vehicle control for 48 h. Epidermal cells, isolated from suction blisters, were double labeled for CD1/HLA-DR, CD3/HLA-DR, or CD36/HLA-DR cell surface markers and analyzed by flow cytometry to determine the percentage of various cell populations. A mean increase of 0.91 +/- 0.3 in the percentage of DR+CD1+ Langerhans cells over the vehicle control patch test site was detected in allergen-positive patch test sites in allergic individuals, whereas a decrease of 0.19 +/- 0.2 in the percentage of DR+CD1+ Langerhans cells from the vehicle control patch test site was detected in irritant-treated patch test sites. Epidermal cells from allergen-positive patch test sites also exhibited an increase of 5.2 +/- 1.8 in percentage of DR+CD1- cells over the vehicle control patch test site compared to an increase change of 0.8 +/- 0.4 in epidermal cells isolated from irritant-treated patch test sites. We also found that DR+ cells that lacked the CD1 determinant expressed the macrophage/monocyte antigen CD36 (OKM5). Finally, a 2.3 +/- 0.8 increase in the percentage of DR-CD3+ cells over the vehicle control patch test site was observed in allergen-positive patch test sites compared to an increase of 0.2 +/- 0.2 observed in irritant-treated patch test sites. These results demonstrate a significant increase in DR+CD1+, DR+CD1-CD36+, and DR-CD3+ epidermal cells in allergen-positive patch test sites compared to irritant patch test sites.
authors.affiliation: Procter and Gamble Co., Miami Valley Laboratories, Cincinnati, OH 45239-8707.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Gerberick
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rheins
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Ridder
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haren
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Oelrich
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: von Bargen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000494:pharmacology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D018955:CD36 Antigens; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D017252:CD3 Complex; D018955:CD36 Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens