TCR+CD3+CD4−CD8− effector T cells in psoriasis

Publication date: Available online 15 June 2017
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): D. Brandt, M. Sergon, S. Abraham, K. Mäbert, C.M. Hedrich
The autoimmune/inflammatory disorder psoriasis is characterized by keratinocyte proliferation and immune cell infiltration of the skin. TCR⁺CD3⁺CD4⁻CD8⁻ "double negative" (DN) T cells can derive from CD8⁺ T cells through the down-regulation of CD8. The inhibitory molecule programmed death (PD-)1 is expressed on activated T cells and plays a role in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. A subset of DN T cells, characterized by the expression of PD-1, has recently been demonstrated to be self-reactive.We demonstrate that a majority of DN T cells exhibits effector memory phenotypes, express IFN-γ, and fail to proliferate. DN T cells from psoriasis patients are characterized by reduced DNA methylation of the IFNG gene and increased PD-1 expression. Furthermore, PD-1 positive DN T cells infiltrate the epidermis in psoriatic skin lesions. Our observations offer additional insight into the molecular pathophysiology of plaque psoriasis and show promise as potential disease biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for future interventions.



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