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Published on: March 8, 2012
The HECA-452 epitope is highly expressed on lymph cells derived from human skin
R E Hunger1, N Yawalkar, L R Braathen
1Dermatological Clinic, Inselspital, University of Berne, 3010 Berne, Switzerland.
Insights
Cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA) is crucial for T cell homing to the skin. Most skin-derived immune cells express CLA, unlike peripheral blood cells, highlighting its role in skin immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA) is a cell surface marker involved in lymphocyte homing to the skin.
- CLA is recognized by the HECA-452 antibody and binds to E-selectin.
- It is typically found on T cells at sites of cutaneous immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze CLA expression on human immune cells from normal, UV-irradiated, and allergic contact dermatitis skin.
- To investigate the role of CLA in lymphocyte homing to the skin under various conditions.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry (FACScan) was used to quantify CLA expression.
- Analysis was performed on immune cells isolated from peripheral blood and skin.
- Immune cells included CD4+, CD8+, CD56+ (natural killer) cells, and CD1a+ dendritic cells.
Main Results:
- CLA expression was significantly higher on skin-derived immune cells (>60% of CD4+, CD8+, CD56+ cells) compared to peripheral blood (<20%).
- Over 90% of CD1a+ dendritic cells from skin expressed CLA.
- UV irradiation and allergic contact dermatitis did not alter CLA expression levels, despite increased lymph flow.
Conclusions:
- CLA plays a vital role in directing immune cell trafficking to the skin.
- The high prevalence of CLA on skin-resident immune cells supports its function in cutaneous immunity.
- CLA expression is a stable marker, independent of acute skin inflammation or UV exposure.
Abstract:
The cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA), recognized by the monoclonal antibody HECA-452, is a cell surface glycoprotein that binds specifically to E-selectin. CLA is present on most T cells at sites of cutaneous immune response and has been shown to be important in lymphocyte homing to the skin. It is expressed only by a minor subset of peripheral T cells and is absent on thymocytes. We have analysed (using a FACScan flow cytometer) the expression of CLA on human lymph cells derived from normal skin, from ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated skin and from allergic contact dermatitis. Whereas in the peripheral blood CLA was expressed on < 20% of CD4 +, CD8 + and CD56 + cells (natural killer cells), > 60% of CD4 +, CD8 + and CD56 + cells isolated from skin-derived lymph expressed CLA. Furthermore, > 90% of CD1a + dendritic lymph cells were positive for CLA. UV irradiation of the skin and induction of an allergic contact dermatitis did not change CLA expression on lymph cells, although lymph flow and cell output increased. These results provide further evidence for an important role of CLA in cell homing to the skin.
