Up-Regulation of beta 1 Integrin on Tonsillar T Cells and its Induction by In Vitro Stimulation with alpha-streptococci in Patients with Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris

作者：Ueda Seigo; Takahara Miki^*; Tohtani Toshitaka; Yoshizaki Tomoki; Kishibe Kan; Harabuchi Yasuaki

来源：Journal of Clinical Immunology, 2010, 30(6): 861-871.

DOI：10.1007/s10875-010-9451-0

• alpha-Streptococci
• beta 1 integrin
• pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP)
• tonsil
• tonsil-related disease

Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP) is a tonsil-related disease that can be cured with tonsillectomy. Recent immunological studies have shown that hyperactivation of tonsillar T cells is caused by a hyperimmune response to alpha-streptococci; recruitment of the T cells to lesions may be involved in the pathogenesis of PPP. beta 1 integrin, expressed on T cells, not only provides a costimulatory signal for T-cell activation but also facilitates the accumulation of T cells in inflammatory skin lesions. In this study, we found that expression of beta 1 integrin on both tonsillar and peripheral blood CD4-positive T cells was higher in PPP patients than in non-PPP patients. In vitro stimulation with alpha-streptococcal antigen significantly enhanced beta 1 integrin expression on tonsillar CD4-positive T cells in PPP patients, but not in non-PPP patients. The chemotactic response of tonsillar CD4-positive T cells to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, the beta 1 integrin ligand, was significantly better in PPP patients than in non-PPP patients. The percentage of beta 1 integrin-positive peripheral blood CD4-positive T cells decreased after tonsillectomy in PPP patients. The numbers of beta 1 integrin-positive T cells and the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were more elevated in plantar PPP skin lesions than in normal skin. These results suggest that beta 1 integrin may play a key role in the pathogenesis of PPP.

• 出版日期2010-11