title: Granulysin-producing cytotoxic T cells in the mucocutaneous lesions of Behçet disease: a distinct inflammatory response from erythema nodosum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) have been recognized as an important effector cell in Behçet disease (BD). Granulysin is a cytolytic granule protein expressed by CTLs and natural killer cells.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the involvement of granulysin-producing T cells in the pathogenesis of BD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using immunohistochemistry, lymphocyte subsets expressing granulysin were investigated in mucocutaneous lesions of BD. Serum granulysin levels were assayed by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Granulysin-positive cells were seen in specimens from oral ulcers, genital ulcers and acne-like eruptions, but not erythema nodosum-like lesions. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressed granulysin. Serum granulysin levels did not correlate with disease activity in BD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immune reactions mediated by granulysin-positive CTLs may play an important role in the pathogenesis of acne-like eruptions, oral ulcers and genital ulcers in BD.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan. yamasa-o@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Yamasaki
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Morizane
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Aochi
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Ogawa
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Oono
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Iwatsuki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; C075005:GNLY protein, human