Pathogenic CD8+ epidermis-resident memory T cells displace dendritic epidermal T cells in allergic dermatitis

Anne-Sofie Ø Gadsbøll, Mia H Jee, Anders B Funch, Maria Alhede, Veronika Mraz, Julie F Weber, Lauren A Callender, Elizabeth C Carroll, Thomas Bjarnsholt, Anders Woetmann, Niels Ødum, Allan R Thomsen, Jeanne D Johansen, Sian M Henson, Carsten Geisler, Charlotte M Bonefeld

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The skin is our interface with the outside world, and consequently it is exposed to a wide range of microbes and allergens. Recent studies have indicated that allergen-specific skin-resident memory T (TRM) cells play a role in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). However, the composition and dynamics of the epidermal T-cell subsets during ACD are not known. Here we show that exposure of the skin to the experimental contact allergen DNFB results in a displacement of the normally occurring dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) concomitant with an accumulation of epidermal CD8+CD69+CD103+ TRM cells in mice. By studying knockout mice, we provide evidence that CD8+ T cells are required for the displacement of the DETC and that DETC are not required for recruitment of CD8+ TRM cells to the epidermis following allergen exposure. We demonstrate that the magnitude of the allergic reaction correlates with the number of CD8+ epidermal TRM cells, which again correlates with allergen dose and number of allergen exposures. Finally, in an attempt to elucidate why CD8+ epidermal TRM cells persist in the epidermis, we show that CD8+ epidermal TRM cells have a higher proliferative capability and are bioenergetically more stable, displaying a higher spare respiratory capacity than DETC.

Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Journal of Investigative Dermatology
ISSN0022-202X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2020

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