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CD 4 + and CD 8 + skin‐associated T lymphocytes in canine atopic dermatitis produce interleukin‐13, interleukin‐22 and interferon‐γ and contain a CD 25 + FoxP3 + subset
Author(s) -
Jassiesvan der Lee Annette,
Rutten Victor P. M. G.,
Bruijn Jet,
Willemse Ton,
Broere Femke
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1111/vde.12140
Subject(s) - foxp3 , il 2 receptor , cd8 , atopic dermatitis , immunology , cytokine , flow cytometry , interleukin , t cell , immunohistochemistry , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system
Background T Cells play a major role in the immunopathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis ( cAD ). However, the significance of cutaneous regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD8 + T cells is currently unclear. Hypothesis/Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the presence and distribution of Tregs in cAD and healthy skin and to determine the cytokine production of cutaneous CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. Animals Biopsies were taken from four dogs with cAD (lesional and nonlesional skin) and four healthy control dogs. Methods Distribution patterns of T‐cell subtypes in cAD lesional, nonlesional and control skin were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Phenotypic characterization of T cells from skin explant cultures and enzymatic digestions was performed using flow cytometry. Cytokine production of sorted CD4 + and CD8 + explant‐derived T cells was measured by RT‐ qPCR . Results Regulatory T cells phenotypically characterized by CD25 + FoxP3 + were found in both CD4 + and CD8 + subsets of skin explant and digestion samples. The percentages of CD4 + CD25 + cells that were FoxP3 + were similar in cAD and control skin. In atopic lesional and nonlesional explant samples, lower FoxP3 + percentages of CD8 + CD25 + cells were seen compared with control skin. The presence of predominantly periadnexal CD25 + FoxP3 + cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in lesional, nonlesional and control skin. The CD4 + /CD8 + ratio was less than one in cAD skin with both skin explant and digestion methods. CD4 + and CD8 + T‐cell subsets of lesional and nonlesional cAD skin were capable of producing interleukin‐13, interleukin‐22 and interferon‐γ. Conclusions and clinical importance Both CD4 + and CD8 + T cells are likely to contribute to the immunopathogenesis of cAD through the production of interleukin‐13, interleukin‐22 and interferon‐γ. In both subsets, functional analysis of FoxP3 + cells is essential to determine their role.