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Granulysin‐producing cytotoxic T cells in the mucocutaneous lesions of Behçet disease: a distinct inflammatory response from erythema nodosum
Author(s) -
Yamasaki O.,
Morizane S.,
Aochi S.,
Ogawa K.,
Oono T.,
Iwatsuki K.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
clinical and experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1365-2230
pISSN - 0307-6938
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2011.04159.x
Subject(s) - granulysin , cytotoxic t cell , immunology , erythema nodosum , immune system , medicine , pathogenesis , cd8 , mucocutaneous zone , biology , pathology , disease , perforin , biochemistry , in vitro
Summary 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. Aim. 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. Conclusion. 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.