CD8+ T cells in psoriatic lesions preferentially use T-cell receptor V beta 3 and/or V beta 13.1 genes.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by epidermal keratinocyte hyperproliferation in association with a cellular infiltrate. There is evidence that activated T cells play a role in psoriatic plaque formation. We examined the T-cell receptor beta-chain variable gene segment (V beta) use of epidermal T cells in shave biopsies of psoriatic lesions. Our results show increased expression of V beta 3 and/or V beta 13.1 messages in the CD8+, but not CD4+, T cells in the lesions of a majority of patients studied. Sequence analysis of complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of these two V beta genes from the skin demonstrated monoclonality or marked oligoclonality. A second biopsy from the same or different lesions, performed 3.5-8 months later in four patients, again revealed increased V beta 3 and/or V beta 13.1 expression and clonality. Moreover, in three of the four patients, the same V beta CDR3 rearrangement was found in both biopsies, although there was no V beta CDR3 homology between patients. In two patients in which V beta 3 and/or V beta 13.1 was not increased, an increase in V beta 17 gene use and clonality was found. The clonality of V beta sequence data indicates these cells are recruited and expanded in situ. The persistence of V beta 3-and/or V beta 13.1-bearing CD8+ T cells in lesions that did not undergo resolution suggests their role as effector cells rather than as regulatory cells.
Chang
J C
JC
Immune Response Corporation, Carlsbad, CA 92008.
Smith
L R
LR
Froning
K J
KJ
Schwabe
B J
BJ
Laxer
J A
JA
Caralli
L L
LL
Kurland
H H
HH
Karasek
M A
MA
Wilkinson
D I
DI
Carlo
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D001706:Biopsy; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D017931:DNA Primers; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta