CD30 expression identifies a functional alloreactive human T-lymphocyte subset.
BACKGROUND
CD30 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor/nerve growth factor receptor family and has been proposed as a marker of specific cytokine-producing subsets in humans. Previous studies have examined the expression of CD30 on established T helper type 1 and T helper type 2 cell clones and the function of CD30+ cells after mitogenic stimulation. In this study, we examined the development and function of CD30+ T cells generated in response to alloantigen.


METHODS
Primary one-way mixed lymphocyte reactions were established, and the expression of CD30 on T lymphocytes was determined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was utilized to define the cytokine profile of alloactivated CD30+ cells after restimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies or alloantigen. The effect of cyclosporine on the development of CD30+ cells, and on cytokines produced by CD30+ T lymphocytes, in response to alloantigen was determined.


RESULTS
CD30+ T lymphocytes could be detected on day 2 of mixed lymphocyte reactions and continued to increase in number and proportion through day 6. Both CD4 and CD8 T cells expressed CD30 after primary alloantigenic stimulation. CD30+ T cells are a subset of alloactivated T cells and are the major source of interferon-gamma and interleukin-5 produced in response to alloantigen. Cyclosporine partially, but not completely, inhibits the development of CD30+ cells, and has a greater effect on interferon-gamma production than on interleukin-5 production.


CONCLUSIONS
CD30+ T lymphocytes may constitute an important immunoregulatory subset in human allograft rejection.
Martinez
O M
OM
Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA.
Villanueva
J
J
Abtahi
S
S
Beatty
P R
PR
Esquivel
C O
CO
Krams
S M
SM
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D007700:Kinetics; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015848:Interleukin-5; D007519:Isoantigens; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016572:Cyclosporine