Circulating activated T lymphocytes in autoeczematization

Arch Dermatol. 1992 Jun;128(6):795-8.

Abstract

Background and design: Autoeczematization, the symmetric diffuse spread of a previously localized dermatitis, has an unclear etiology although some investigators have postulated that activated T lymphocytes play a role. Two estimates of activation of peripheral T lymphocytes are the cell surface expression of the HLA-DR antigen and the interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R). We measured the percentage of circulating activated T lymphocytes in nine patients with autoeczematization compared with normal controls (n = 10), patients with stasis dermatitis (n = 6), and patients with severe (n = 10) or mild (n = 8) psoriasis. The percentage of activated T lymphocytes was determined by fluorescent, activated cell sorter analysis of peripheral leukocytes doubly stained with antibodies to T lymphocytes and HLA-DR antigen or IL-2R.

Results: Statistically significant elevations of HLA-DR- and IL-2R--positive T lymphocytes were seen in autoeczematization patients (P less than .004 and P less than .04, respectively) and those with severe psoriasis (P less than .004 for HLA-DR antigen and IL-2R). Percentages of HLA-DR- and IL-2R--positive T lymphocytes in patients with mild psoriasis were not significantly elevated. Two patients with autoeczematization had a reduction of their previously elevated levels of HLA-DR- and IL-2R--positive T lymphocytes after treatment.

Conclusions: These data suggest a possible role for circulating activated T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of autoeczematization and possibly in severe psoriasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Surface / analysis
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Dermatitis / blood
  • Dermatitis / immunology
  • Diphtheria Toxoid / immunology
  • Eczema / blood
  • Eczema / immunology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • HLA-DR Antigens / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Psoriasis / blood
  • Psoriasis / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / analysis*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Tetanus Toxoid / immunology
  • Venous Insufficiency / blood
  • Venous Insufficiency / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Diphtheria Toxoid
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Tetanus Toxoid