Expansion and proliferation of skin-homing T cells in atopic dermatitis as assessed at the single cell level.
BACKGROUND
Sensitization to aeroallergens is a frequent event in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). The role of allergen-specific T cells in the pathogenesis of AD is, however, not fully clear. A detailed immunological characterization of allergen-specific T cells able to migrate to inflamed skin might therefore be helpful in determining the relevance of allergen-specific T cells to clinical symptoms.


OBJECTIVE
To establish a simple assay to simultaneously monitor the expression of skin-related homing molecules and their proliferative response to an allergen on peripheral T cells. To evaluate whether this assay is able to identify AD patients in whom exposure to an allergen induces dermatitis.


METHODS
The expression of CLA, CD7 and CD4 was simultaneously measured by flow cytometry with the DNA content as a parameter of proliferation at the single cell level. House dust mite antigen (DerP) and tetanus toxoid (TT) were used as antigens.


RESULTS
CD4+ CLA+ CD7-, but not CLA- T cells from patients with AD proliferated and expanded following DerP stimulation. In contrast, TT stimulation resulted in proliferation of both, CLA+ and CLA- T cells from both, atopic and healthy donors.


CONCLUSIONS
Single cell analysis revealed a predominant localization of allergen-reactive T cells within the CD7- CLA+ CD4+ T cell subset in AD. Thus, this simple assay not only confirms previously published results, but also extends our knowledge on the biology of CLA and CD7 cells in AD. Ultimately, this will be helpful in classifying those patients who might benefit from allergen avoidance therapies.
Jung
Thomas
T
Department of Dermatology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. thomas.jung@pharma.novartis.com
Schulz
Stephanie
S
Zachmann
Karolin
K
Neumann
Christine
C
D000328:Adult; D019011:Antigens, CD7 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology
D019011:Antigens, CD7; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D015704:CD4 Antigens; C063419:CTAGE1 protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451162:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1