title: T cell subsets in normal human epidermis.
abstract: Freshly isolated human lymphocytes from normal epidermis were characterized with respect to distribution of subsets. The major T cell receptor-alpha beta + compartment was enriched for CD4+, for CD8 alpha alpha +, and for CD4-CD8-T lymphocytes compared with peripheral blood lymphocytes. Furthermore, the majority of epidermal T lymphocytes expressed a CD45RA- CD45ROhigh Fas+ memory/effector phenotype; many also expressed early-intermediate activation markers, suggesting antigenic exposure in vivo. The cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen was expressed by almost all epidermal T lymphocytes. A large portion also expressed the mucosal-associated alpha e beta 7-integrin, which may mediate retention to epithelium. These data show that T lymphocytes present in normal human epidermis constitute a distinct T cells compartment with characteristics similar to that of other epithelial-associated T cell compartments.
authors.affiliation: Division of Tumor Virology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Spetz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strominger
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Groh-Spies
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens