Epidermal T cell subsets—Effect of age and antigen exposure in humans and mice. (17th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gadsbøll, Anne‐Sofie Østergaard; Jee, Mia Hamilton; Ahlström, Malin Glindvad; Dyring‐Andersen, Beatrice; Woetmann, Anders; Ødum, Niels; Johansen, Jeanne Duus; Geisler, Carsten; Bonefeld, Charlotte Menné
• Is Part Of: Contact dermatitis. Volume 84:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 375
• Page End: 384
• Publication Date: 2021-03-17
• Subjects: antigen -- contact allergen -- epidermis -- T cells; Contact dermatitis -- Periodicals; 616.51
• DOI: 10.1111/cod.13806
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-1873

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Epidermal T cells play a central role in immune surveillance and in inflammatory skin diseases. Major differences in the epidermal T cell composition are found between adult humans and antigen‐inexperienced laboratory mice. Whether this is due to inborn species differences, to different environmental exposures, or a combination of the two is a matter of debate. Objectives: To investigate the role of age and exposure to antigens on epidermal T cell subsets in human and mouse skin. Methods: We isolated T cells from the epidermis from 19 infants and 26 adults, and determined the frequency of CD4 + and CD8 + αβ T cells and γδ T cells by flow cytometry. In addition, we determined the epidermal T cell composition in antigen‐inexperienced and antigen‐experienced mice. Results: We found that humans are born with very few epidermal T cells. The number increases and the composition changes with age. In antigen‐inexperienced mice, the epidermal T cell composition is unaffected by age, but it is dramatically affected by antigen exposure. Conclusion: Taken together, we show that antigen exposure, as opposed to age, is the major factor determining the composition of epidermal T cells, suggesting that the skin of antigen‐experienced mice better reflects the immunological conditions in human skin.