Studying the features of circulating CD4+ CD28null cells in patients with psoriasis

[Fred]

This small study looked at he features of circulating CD4+ CD28null cells in patients with psoriasis.

Quote:

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Background:
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin. CD4+ CD28null cells are a subset of T lymphocytes associated with systemic inflammation and increased cardiovascular disease risk, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Objectives:
To study the features of circulating CD4+ CD28null cells in patients with psoriasis, adjusted for the influence of known cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Methods:
Forty-two patients with psoriasis and 42 controls entered the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analysed for the frequency of CD4+ CD28null T lymphocytes and their expression of cytotoxic granules and homing receptors. Immunostaining for cutaneous cytotoxic granules was assessed in skin biopsies from 11 patients.

Results:
There were no differences in the frequency of CD4+ CD28null T cells between groups in all situations analysed. However, there was an increased number of cells expressing cytotoxic granules and a decreased number expressing CXCR3 in ex vivo samples of patients with psoriasis. A negative correlation was observed between the frequency of ex vivo CD4+ CD28null cells and psoriasis severity. After clinical remission in nine patients, ex vivo CD4+ CD28null lymphocytes expressing cytotoxic granules decreased. Perforin-, granzyme B- and granulysin-containing cells were found in skin lesions. Patients with psoriasis also had increased plasma levels of C-reactive protein.

Conclusions:
These data suggest that cytotoxic cells, such as CD4+ CD28null lymphocytes, within an inflammatory environment may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Funded by:  
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo FAPESP
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

[jiml]

Another interesting study looking at our problem differently , although only a small study there is enough information I would think to encourage others to look at these cells and see if it helps understand more about psoriasis and could be an area for new drug research