CD8 super(+) T cells in psoriatic lesions preferentially use T-cell receptor V sub( beta )3 and/or V sub( beta )13.1 genes

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by epidermal keratinocyte hyperproliferation in association with a cellular infiltrate. There is evidence that activated T cells play a role in psoriatic plaque formation. We examined the T-cell receptor beta -chain variable gene segment (V sub( beta )) use of epidermal T cells in shave biopsies of psoriatic lesions. Our results show increased expression of V sub( beta )3 and/or V sub( beta )13.1 messages in the CD8 super(+), but not CD4 super(+), T cells in the lesions of a majority of patients studied. Sequence analysis of complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of these two V sub( beta ) genes from the skin demonstrated monoclonality or marked oligoclonality. A second biopsy from the same or different lesions, performed 3.5-8 months later in four patients, again revealed increased V sub( beta )3 and/or V sub( beta )13.1 expression and clonality. Moreover, in three of the four patients, the same V sub( beta ) CDR3 rearrangement was found in both biopsies, although there was no V sub( beta ) CDR3 homology between patients. In two patients in which V sub( beta )3 and/or V sub( beta )13.1 was not increased, an increase in V sub( beta )17 gene use and clonality was found. The clonality of V sub( beta ) sequence data indicates these cells are recruited and expanded in situ. The persistence of V sub( beta )3- and/or V sub( beta )13.1-bearing CD8 super(+) T cells in lesions that did not undergo resolution suggests their role as effector cells rather than as regulatory cells.