Increased circulating skin-homing cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA)+ type 2 cytokine-producing cells, and decreased CLA+ type 1 cytokine-producing cells in atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Skin-homing T cells are characterized by expression of cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA). Few data are available on the frequency of circulating CLA+ cytokine-producing T cells in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate cytokine synthesis capability vs. CLA expression in phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin-stimulated, secretion-inhibited peripheral blood T cells of AD patients compared with healthy subjects and psoriatic patients.


METHODS
Multiparameter flow cytometry was used.


RESULTS
The expression of CLA among CD4+ T cells was significantly elevated in AD patients compared with healthy subjects and psoriatic patients, whereas there was no significant difference between each group in CLA expression among CD8+ T cells. The frequency of interleukin (IL)-4- and IL-13-producing cells in AD patients was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (in both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets) and psoriatic patients (in CD4+ T cells). In contrast, the frequency of interferon (IFN)-gamma-producing cells was significantly reduced in AD patients, among both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, compared with healthy subjects and psoriatic patients. Moreover, in AD patients, the frequency of IL-4- and IL-13-producing cells was remarkably increased among the CLA+ subset (in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells), whereas the frequency of IFN-gamma-producing cells was decreased in the CLA+ subset (in CD4+, but not in CD8+ T cells).


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide evidence for the expansion of skin-homing type 2 cytokine-secreting T cells, associated with a reduction in skin-homing type 1 cytokine-producing T cells, in peripheral blood of AD patients.
Teraki
Y
Y
Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan. teraki@kyorin-u.ac.jp
Hotta
T
T
Shiohara
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C063419:CTAGE1 protein, human; D016207:Cytokines; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins