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CTLA‐4 expression in T cells of patients with atopic dermatitis
Author(s) -
Choi Sung Yon,
Sohn Myung Hyun,
Kwon Byoung Chul,
Kim KyuEarn
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2005.00274.x
Subject(s) - medicine , atopic dermatitis , dermatology , immunology
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4; CD152) is a surface molecule of activated T cells with sequence homologous to CD28, and may act as a negative regulator of T‐cell activation. In murine animal models, cross‐linkage of CTLA‐4 molecules on the cell surface results in decreased T‐cell proliferation, accompanied by increased interleukin (IL)‐2 production and apotosis. To clarify the activation of peripheral blood T cells, we studied the CTLA‐4 expression in 32 patients with atopic dermatitis who visited our institution, and 19 normal children who visited for pre‐operative laboratory examination were used as normal controls. Whole blood was obtained from all subjects and stained with anti‐CD3, anti‐CD4, anti‐CD8 monoclonal antibodies (mAb). After erythrocyte lysis with lysing solution, the cells were stained with anti‐CTLA‐4 mAb, and stained cells were analysed by fluorescence‐activated cell sorter (FACScan) flow cytometer. Intracellular expression of CTLA‐4 was significantly upregulated in peripheral blood CD3 + T cells (36.8%), CD4 + T cells (21.7%) and CD8 + T cells (18.7%) of patients with atopic dermatitis, compared with normal control (18.3%, 9.7%, 9.8%; respectively). Furthermore, CTLA‐4‐positive CD3 + T cells in patients with severe atopic dermatitis were significantly higher compared with milder group (42.8% vs. 32.2%). However, no significant difference was obtained in CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. Mean percentage of T cells expressing CTLA‐4 in patients with atopic dermatitis was higher than the control group. These observations suggest the possibility that the disease activity can be correlated with the CTLA‐4 level.