title: Characterization of lymphocyte subpopulations and cytokine profiles in peripheral blood of nickel-sensitive individuals with systemic contact dermatitis after oral nickel exposure.
abstract: Several studies have shown that oral nickel exposure can elicit systemic contact dermatitis (SCD) in nickel-sensitive individuals. The current study describes some of the immunological mechanisms underlying such nickel-allergic reactions elicited by oral exposure to nickel. Following oral exposure to graded concentrations of nickel or placebo, blood samples were taken from nickel-sensitive individuals and from non-nickel-sensitive controls. T-cell subtypes (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD45RO+), expression of skin-homing receptor, cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA) and cytokine profiles [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, interferon-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha] were investigated. A definite dose-response reaction pattern to oral nickel exposure was observed among nickel-sensitive individuals. Nickel-sensitive individuals whose dermatitis flared after oral challenge with nickel showed significant decreases in fractions of CD3+ CD45RO+ CLA+ and CD8+ CD45RO+ CLA+ blood lymphocytes, suggesting migration of CD8+ 'memory' CLA+ T lymphocytes from the blood to peripheral tissues. Only those nickel-sensitive individuals who clinically reacted to oral challenge with nickel (4 mg) had elevated levels of IL-5 in the serum, indicating an activation of type 2 T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. In conclusion, the study indicates that CD8+ CD45RO+ CLA+ T lymphocytes and T lymphocytes with a type 2 cytokine profile are involved in SCD elicited by nickel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark. chstje01@gentoftehosp.kbhamt.dk
authors.forename: Christian Stab
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Steen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lisby
authors.forename: Jørgen K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Niels Kren
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Veien
authors.forename: Torkil
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menné
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D007509:Irritants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C063419:CTAGE1 protein, human; D007378:Interleukins; D007509:Irritants; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C029938:nickel sulfate; D009532:Nickel