title: Characterization of circulating CD8+T cells expressing skin homing and cytotoxic molecules in active non-segmental vitiligo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitiligo is caused by melanocyte depletion. Studies have suggested that skin-homing cytotoxic T lymphocytes that express cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA) are responsible for melanocyte depletion. The characteristics of these skin-homing cytotoxic T cells have not been well established yet.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the frequency of skin-homing CD8(+)T cells (CD8(+)CLA(+)T cells) and their expression of cytotoxic molecules, as well as migration-related molecules in CD8(+)T cell in non-segmental vitiligo patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The frequency of CD8(+)CLA(+)T cells and their expression of cytotoxic molecules (perforin, granzyme-B and FasL) in peripheral blood of patients with non-segmental vitiligo were assessed using flow cytometry. Levels of chemokine receptors (CCR4, CCR10) on CD8(+)T cells were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results revealed a higher frequency and increased expression of perforin and granzyme-B in circulating CD8(+)CLA(+)T cells from patients with active vitiligo. The expression levels of CCR4 increased in CD8(+)T cells in active vitiligo patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with active non-segmental vitiligo have a higher frequency of CD8(+)CLA(+)T cells and hyper-activated cytotoxic functions, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of non-segmental vitiligo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology,, Department of Dermatology, Yidu Central Hospital, Weifang Medical University, 262500 Qingzhou Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Bao-Xiang
authors.initials: BX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Mao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Xiao-Yi
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Ron-Xin
authors.initials: RX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Zhen-Dong
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, 467 Zhongshan Road, 116027 Dalian, Liaoning Province, P. R. China;
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA.
authors.forename: Mao-Qiang
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Man
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology,, College of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, 116044 Dalian, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Cai-Xia
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D053804:Granzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054353:Perforin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D054353:Perforin; C509213:GZMB protein, human; D053804:Granzymes
keywords: CD8+ T cell; cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen; granzyme-B; perforin; vitiligo