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Restricted T‐cell receptor Vβ gene usage in the skin of patients with guttate and chronic plaque psoriasis
Author(s) -
LEWIS H.M.,
BAKER B.S.,
BOKTH S.,
POWLES A.V.,
GARIOCH J.J.,
VALDIMARSSON H.,
FRY L.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1993.tb00477.x
Subject(s) - superantigen , psoriasis , pathogenesis , immunology , medicine , dermis , t cell receptor , streptococcus pyogenes , monoclonal antibody , streptococcus , t cell , antibody , biology , pathology , staphylococcus aureus , immune system , bacteria , genetics
Summary A strong association between acute guttate psoriasis and group A, β‐haemolytic streptococcal infections is well established. Furthermore, streptococcal M proteins and toxins have been shown to act as superantigens, stimulating subpopulations of T lymphocytes expressing particular Vβ families. We have therefore studied the possible role of streptococcal superantigens in psoriasis by staining peripheral T lymphocytes and skin sections from patients with guttate or chronic plaque psoriasis for the expression of nine TCR Vβ families, using a range of monoclonal antibodies. A marked over‐representation of Vβ2 + T lymphocytes was observed in the dermis and epidermis of patients in both groups, when compared with T lymphocytes in their peripheral blood. A less marked dermal increase in Vβ5.1 + T lymphocytes was also observed in these patients. These findings are consistent with the involvement of a superantigen, possibly streptococcal, in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.