Persistent central memory phenotype of circulating Fel d 1 peptide/DRB1*0101 tetramer-binding CD4+ T cells.
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.
Bateman
Elizabeth Alice Louise
EA
Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, University of Oxford, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Ardern-Jones
Michael Roger
MR
Ogg
Graham Stuart
GS
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
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