Expression of T ‐cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif domain on CD4+ T cells in patients with atopic dermatitis

In this study, we examined the expression levels of TIGIT and their association with clinical features in patients with AD. TIGIT expression on CD4+ T cells, central memory T cells, effector memory T cells and regulatory T cells was determined by flow cytometry. CD4+ T cells exhibited enhanced TIGIT expression in patients with AD compared with healthy individuals. In particular, effector memory T cells and regulatory T cells, but not central memory T cells, exhibited higher TIGIT expression in patients with AD than in healthy individuals. The frequency of TIGIT+ cells among CD4+ T cells was significantly increased in patients with mild AD compared with healthy individuals, while decreased in patients with severe AD. Consistently, the frequency of TIGIT+ cells among CD4+ T cells was negatively correlated with both serum thymus and activation ‐regulated chemokine levels and immunoglobulin E levels in patients with AD. Furthermore, TIGIT expression on CD4+ T cells inhibited cell proliferation in patients with AD. These results suggest that TIGIT expression on CD4+ T cells in patients with AD may be increased to suppress chronic cutaneous inflammation. Moreover, TIGIT expression may be impaired in a subset of patients with AD, leading to a deterioration of skin inflammation. Our study may provide new insight into a TIGIT pathway ‐based therapeutic approach for AD.

Source: The Journal of Dermatology - November 7, 2018 Category: Dermatology Authors: Miki Kurita, Yuki Yoshihara, Yozo Ishiuji, Mami Chihara, Takaoki Ishiji, Akihiko Asahina, Koichi Yanaba Tags: Original Article Source Type: research