Skin-derived aeroallergen-specific T-cell clones of Th2 phenotype in patients with atopic dermatitis

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 90; no. 2; pp. 184 - 193
• Main Authors: van Reijsen, F.C., Bruijnzeel-Koomen, C.A.F.M., Kalthoff, F.S., Maggi, E., Romagnani, S., Westland, J.K.T., Mudde, G.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.08.1992; Elsevier
• Subjects: allergen-specific Th2 cells; Allergens - immunology; Allergic diseases; Antigens - immunology; Atopic dermatitis; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Division - drug effects; Clone Cells; Cytokines - metabolism; Dermatitis, Atopic - genetics; Dermatitis, Atopic - immunology; Dermatitis, Atopic - pathology; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; epicutaneous patch tests; Epitopes; Humans; Immunoglobulin E - biosynthesis; Immunopathology; Interleukin-2 - pharmacology; Medical sciences; Phenotype; Reference Values; Skin - immunology; Skin - pathology; Skin allergic diseases. Stinging insect allergies; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; TCR; RT; Dpr; epicutaneous patch tests; GaH-IgE-biot; INF-γ; EFT; GaM; ABS; FITC; FcR; rIL; Atopic dermatitis; GM-CSF; a-alpha/beta TCR; PBS; AD; a-IL; EBV-B; PMA; allergen-specific Th2 cells; GP; CM; LST; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; APC; LC; FCS; a-IgE; AP-strept; Human; Immunopathology; Allergy; Skin disease; Pathogenesis; Helper cell; Phenotype; Specificity; T-Lymphocyte; Aerosols; Skin; Allergen; Clone
• DOI: 10.1016/0091-6749(92)90070-I
• ISSN: 0091-6749

T-cell lines have been derived from aeroallergen-induced eczematous patch test sites of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Biopsy specimens were obtained 24 hours after allergen application to the skin, and only in vivo-activated T cells were propagated. From one patient, the T-cell lines were subcloned at 0.3 cells per well. With allergen-induced interleukin (IL) production, all clones tested (n = 13) were found to be specific for the allergen, producing IL-4 and granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor. No IL-2 or interferon-γ was found. The allergen-specific proliferative response of these clones, although the response was dependent on exogenous IL-2 or IL-4, also proved that all clones were allergen specific. Under optimal stimulation (aCD3 plus phorbol myristate acetate), 15% of the clones appeared to be of Th0 phenotype and 70% of Th2 phenotype. In 15% of the clones, IL-4 was produced in the absence of IL-2, IL-5, or interferon-γ. Supernatants of all clones tested induced IgE production by B cells from normal non-atopic donors. The T-cell lines of the other patient demonstrated similar results; allergen-specific proliferation was dependent on exogenous IL-2 or IL-4 and stimulation with aCD3 plus phorbol myristate acetate demonstrated that the T cells in these lines were of the Th2 phenotype. In conclusion, our data reveal that, in AD, percutaneous sensitization to aeroallergens may occur and indicate that allergen-specific Th2 type T cells may be responsible for the high levels of (specific) IgE found in 80% of patients with AD.