title: Persistent central memory phenotype of circulating Fel d 1 peptide/DRB1*0101 tetramer-binding CD4+ T cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although substantial evidence suggests that T cells are important in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), little is known of the differentiation status of CD4+ T cells specific for common environmental allergens.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency, differentiation phenotype, and function of circulating allergen-specific CD4+ T cells in adult individuals with severe persistent AD and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using tetrameric complexes of an HLA DRB1*0101 restricted epitope from Fel d 1, the major IgE-reactive component of cat dander, we studied ex vivo and cultured T-cell frequency and phenotype in individuals with AD and healthy controls. Cytokine secretion was measured by ex vivo and cultured IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 enzyme linked immuno-spot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ex vivo Fel d 1-specific DRB1*0101-restricted CD4+ T cells express high levels of CCR7, CD62L, CD27, and CD28 and proportionately low levels of tissue-specific homing receptors and TH1 and TH2 cytokine production, placing the cells largely within the central memory subgroup.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulating Fel d 1-specific DRB1*0101-restricted CD4+ T cells maintain central memory capacity, consistent with a potential to contribute to persisting clinical atopic disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persisting central memory characteristics of allergen-specific CD4+ T cells in individuals with AD may contribute to chronic disease.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, University of Oxford, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Alice Louise
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bateman
authors.forename: Michael Roger
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ardern-Jones
authors.forename: Graham Stuart
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ogg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D054400:Receptors, CCR7; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000378:metabolism; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; C515370:CCR7 protein, human; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D000939:Epitopes; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D054400:Receptors, CCR7; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7; D019041:L-Selectin; C059296:Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus