In this study, we analyzed the cytokine expression profile of human epidermal gammadelta T cells and compared it to that of peripheral blood gammadelta T cells to investigate the specific activity of epidermal gammadelta T cells in modulating skininflammation.
METHODS:
We isolated gammadelta T cells from epidermal tissue or peripheral blood obtained from healthy volunteers. Isolated gammadelta T cells were stimulated using immobilized anti-CD3 antibody and interleukin-2 plus phytohaemagglutinin, and were then analyzed using a cytokine array kit.
These results suggest that the epidermal gammadelta T cells have a stronger potential to participate in the Th2-type response than the peripheral blood gammadelta T cells do. Furthermore, epidermal gammadelta T cells might play an important role in the pathogenesis of Th2-dominant skin diseases because of their active production of interleukin-13.