CD4+ memory T cells in peripheral blood are not decreased in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a severe and chronic eczematous skin disease, to which increased IgE levels and imbalances of CD4+ T cells are related. CD4+ T cells, however, are heterogeneous and include at least two subpopulations being designated as CD4+ naive and memory T cells. They represent sequential maturational stages (naive into memory) in CD4+ T cell development differing in function and phenotype. Of these two subpopulations the CD4+ memory T cell compartment is a potent producer of gamma-interferon which suppresses IgE synthesis in B cells. Therefore, we speculated whether an inborn maturation defect of CD4+ memory T cells causes the increased IgE production in AD. In patients with AD and age- and sex-matched controls (both n = 10) we analyzed the distribution of both subpopulations in peripheral blood by two-color flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies against the CD4, CD45RA and CD29 antigen. We provide evidence that the numerical values of CD4+ memory T cells and CD4+ naive T cells are equivalent in both groups. This supports the view that functional disturbances of lymphocytes or lymphocyte subsets are responsible for IgE excess and the pathogenesis of AD.

• Authors: J Burgard, V Mielke, G Leimenstoll, W Sterry
• Journal: Dermatologica (Dermatologica) Vol. 182 Issue 2 Pg. 85-8 ( 1991) ISSN: 0011-9075 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 1675611 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Cell Separation
• Dermatitis, Atopic (immunology)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Immunologic Memory
• Male
• T-Lymphocyte Subsets