Alefacept (anti-CD2) Causes a Selective Reduction in Circulating Effector Memory T Cells (Tem) and Relative Preservation of Central Memory T Cells (Tcm) in Psoriasis

Overview

Journal J Transl Med

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties Biomedical Engineering
General Medicine

Date 2007 Jun 9

PMID 17555598

Citations 37

Authors

Francesca Chamian

Shao-Lee Lin

Edmund Lee

Toyoko Kikuchi

Patricia Gilleaudeau

Mary Sullivan-Whalen

Irma Cardinale

Artemis Khatcherian

Inna Novitskaya

Knut M Wittkowski

James G Krueger

Michelle A Lowes

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Alefacept (anti-CD2) biological therapy selectively targets effector memory T cells (Tem) in psoriasis vulgaris, a model Type 1 autoimmune disease.

Methods: Circulating leukocytes were phenotyped in patients receiving alefacept for moderate to severe psoriasis.

Results: In all patients, this treatment caused a preferential decrease in effector memory T cells (CCR7- CD45RA-) (mean 63% reduction) for both CD4+ and CD8+ Tem, while central memory T cells (Tcm) (CCR7+CD45RA-) were less affected, and naïve T cells (CCR7+CD45RA+) were relatively spared. Circulating CD8+ effector T cells and Type 1 T cells (IFN-gamma-producing) were also significantly reduced.

Conclusion: Alefacept causes a selective reduction in circulating effector memory T cells (Tem) and relative preservation of central memory T cells (Tcm) in psoriasis.

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