Circulating CLA+ T-cells in atopic dermatitis and their possible role as peripheral biomarkers

Abstract

Cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA⁺) T-cells are specialized for skin homing and represent the main T-cell population in atopic dermatitis (AD) lesions. CLA⁺ is expressed on the surface of circulating CD45RO⁺ memory T-cells and most skin infiltrating T-cells. Mechanistic studies and thus treatment advancements are limited by the need of large number of skin biopsies. Circulating CLA⁺ T-cells may be a reliable surrogate marker of the inflammatory events occurring in the skin, and thus the evaluation of CLA⁺ T-cells in the blood may eliminate the need for skin biopsies. Preliminary work in AD has established that disease associated T-cell abnormalities can be approached by either a study of skin lesions or activated CLA⁺ T-cell subsets in peripheral blood. Future studies in adults and children, across different skin disorders, correlating blood and skin phenotypes and determining skin homing T-cell functional properties are needed in order to establish whether CLA⁺ memory subsets can be used as biomarkers and a substitute to skin biopsies. This review summarizes the latest advancements reached on circulating CLA⁺ in AD and the great potential they harbor in understanding AD mechanisms.

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