CD57 expression correlates with alveolitis severity in subjects with beryllium-induced disease.
BACKGROUND
Despite numerous studies in human beings linking surface phenotype of blood T cells with their functional characteristics, little is known about this relationship on antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells residing in a target organ.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between CD57 expression, a marker of T-cell senescence, and severity of chronic beryllium disease (CBD) and to determine the phenotypic and functional characteristics that differentiate beryllium-specific CD4(+) T cells in lung and blood.


METHODS
CD57 expression on beryllium-responsive IFN-gamma-expressing and IL-2-expressing CD4(+) T cells in blood and lung of 17 beryllium-sensitized and 20 CBD subjects was determined.


RESULTS
CD57 expression was significantly higher on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) than blood CD4(+) T cells in both beryllium-sensitized and CBD subjects. Expression of CD57 on BAL CD4(+) T cells was directly correlated with the lymphocytic alveolitis. In blood and BAL, higher CD57 expression was seen on more differentiated CD4(+) memory T-cell subsets. Although CD57 expression on blood and BAL cells was associated with a reduced proliferative potential, examination of beryllium-specific CD4(+) T cells in blood and lung revealed no difference in CD57 expression on cells that produced IFN-gamma only versus IFN-gamma and IL-2.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that CD57 expression on CD4(+) T cells is an important phenotypic marker to assess lung inflammation and the functional competence of the CD4(+) T-cell compartment in CBD.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that CD57 is a marker of lung inflammation and potentially, disease severity.
Palmer
Brent E
BE
Department of Medicine, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
Mack
Douglas G
DG
Martin
Allison K
AK
Maier
Lisa A
LA
Fontenot
Andrew P
AP
D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001608:Beryllium / Q000276:immunology; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018959:CD57 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D018959:CD57 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D001608:Beryllium