SEB-induced IL-13 production in CLA+ memory T cells defines Th2 high and Th2 low responders in atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus, memory skin-homing cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA)+ T cells and IL-13 constitute relevant players in atopic dermatitis (AD) pathogenesis.1 Since circulating CLA+ T cells reflect cutaneous abnormalities present in human inflammatory skin diseases,2 an ex vivo coculture model made of purified circulating CLA+/− effector and central memory T cells and autologous lesional epidermal cells was established. We show a CLA-dependent production of IL-13 upon activation with staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) that allows the differentiation of the Th2 high and Th2 low groups, with distinct clinical correlations between both groups, within a clinically homogeneous population of adult non-treated moderate-to-severe AD patients.