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Cited by 182T-cell and B-cell ImmunologyPsoriasis: Treatment and PathogenesisDermatology and Skin Diseases

Human epidermal T cells predominantly belong to the lineage expressing alpha/beta T cell receptor.

Open access
Foster, C A, Yokozeki, H, Rappersberger, K, Koning, F, Volc-Platzer, B, Rieger, A, Coligan, J E, Wolff, K +1 more·1990·The Journal of experimental medicine
DOI 10.1084/jem.171.4.997PMC PMC2187846
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Abstract

The epidermis of clinically normal-appearing human skin harbors a phenotypically heterogeneous population of T lymphocytes (TCs), the majority of which are CD2+/CD3+/CD5+ "memory" cells, but in an unactivated state, and express the TCR-alpha/beta. In contrast to murine skin, only a very minor subpopulation of CD3+ cells in the human epidermis bears the TCR-gamma/delta. Epidermal TCs primarily are distributed along the rete ridges in the basal keratinocyte layer and are often in close apposition to Langerhans cells (LCs). These TCs were propagated from epidermal cell suspensions after stimulation with TC activating agents (Con A, rIL-1, rIL-2), then evaluated for phenotypic features and TCR diversity. Similar to the in situ situation, most were CD4-/CD8+/TCR-alpha/beta+. In addition, two cultures contained TCR-gamma/delta+ cells; one of these determined to be an adherent CD4-/CD8+ population. Epidermal TCs were significantly (p less than 0.0001) more abundant in the sole than in the other body regions examined (i.e., 40 vs. 7 CD3+ cells/linear centimeter of epidermis) and seemed to have a particular affinity for the acrosyringial epithelium of eccrine sweat ducts. Moreover, the sole usually contained a greater number of CD8+ relative to CD4+ TCs, whereas the epidermal CD4/CD8 ratio in the trunk and extremities was quite variable, although the trend also was towards a slightly larger percentage of CD8+ cells. Collectively, our data suggest that the volar epidermis has a unique microenvironment which is responsible for both the higher density of TCs, preferentially CD8+, and lower number of LCs. This study has not only provided evidence for significant regional variability in the human epidermal TC population of normal skin, but also strengthens the concept for skin-associated lymphoid tissues (SALT), whereby memory TCs recirculate back to the epidermis and interact with resident antigen-presenting cells (i.e., LC).

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In clinically normal human epidermis, T cells are a minor but routinely identifiable population, mostly CD2+/CD3+/CD5+ memory cells in an unactivated state and predominantly TCR-alpha/beta+, with only rare TCR-gamma/delta+ cells. Their density is significantly higher in sole skin (40 vs. 7–8 CD3+ cells/linear cm) and they associate closely with Langerhans cells, supporting regional variability and the SALT concept.

Key findings

  • Epidermal T cells were predominantly CD2+/CD3+/CD5+, CD8-dominant (about a 3:2 CD8+:CD4+ ratio), mostly 2H4−/UCHL1+ “memory” cells, and largely unactivated (HLA-DR−/CD25−/VLA-1−); most expressed TCR-alpha/beta, while TCR-gamma/delta+ cells were only occasional.
  • Epidermal T cells were significantly more abundant in sole skin than in trunk/limbs: 40 vs. 7 CD3+ cells per linear centimeter of epidermis (p < 0.0001); in nonvolar regions the mean was 8 CD2+/CD3+ T cells per linear centimeter.
  • The T cell-to-Langerhans cell ratio differed by site: plantar skin was 1:1.7 (T cells represented 63% of CD1a+ cells), compared with 1:20 (6%) in other epidermal regions.
  • Cultured epidermal T cells from 12 individuals grew for 4–9 weeks; most were CD4−/CD8+/TCR-alpha/beta+, and two cultures contained TCR-gamma/delta+ cells, one being an adherent CD4−/CD8+ population.

Methods

  • Skin from 50 individuals was examined across six body regions; techniques included frozen sections, epidermal sheets, epidermal cell suspensions, indirect immunofluorescence, indirect immunoperoxidase, streptavidin-biotin-complex staining, double labeling, transmission electron microscopy, FACS, and immunoprecipitation/SDS-PAGE.
  • Quantitation used cryostat sections from five body regions: chest [5], buttock [5], sole [8], and limbs (thigh [2] + upper arm [3]); mean peroxidase-labeled cells were normalized per linear centimeter of epidermis and analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.
  • T cells were enriched from epidermal cell suspensions and cultured with 5 µg/ml Con A, 40 U/ml rIL-1, 100 U/ml rIL-2, and 10% A431 cell culture supernatant; TCR configuration was assessed by immunoprecipitation with anti-CD3 and anti-TCR antibodies.

Limitations

  • Stated: The authors note that phenotypic studies have limitations for biological implications, and the exact physiological role of epidermal T cells remains difficult to clarify until cultures are analyzed for TCR repertoire and functional activity.
  • Stated: It is unclear why only a portion of CD2+/CD3+/CD5+ (TCR-alpha/beta−) epidermal cells labeled with anti-TCR-alpha/beta and anti-CD7 mAbs; possible explanations include limited immunolabeling sensitivity, CD7 modulation, cytoplasmic CD3 without surface TCR, or a third TCR type not recognized by the reagents.
  • Evident from the text: Regional quantitation relied on small samples per group (chest 5, buttock 5, sole 8, limbs 5), no functional assays were performed, and one CD4−/CD8− culture ceased proliferating before thorough phenotyping.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1084/jem.171.4.997

Cites

34 of 34 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 19 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data
    § Abstract

    The majority of epidermal T cells are in an unactivated state.

    “but in an unactivated state”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “the majority lacked these markers (Table 11, Fig. 3, a and b) and were regarded as being in the “resting” state”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.
  • Findingown data
    § Abstract

    The majority of epidermal T cells express the TCR-alpha/beta.

    “and express the TCR-alpha/beta”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “A large percentage of epidermal TCs reacted with antiTCR-a/(3 mAbs”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.
  • Findingown data
    § Abstract

    The epidermis of clinically normal-appearing human skin contains a phenotypically heterogeneous population of T lymphocytes.

    “The epidermis of clinically normal-appearing human skin harbors a phenotypically heterogeneous population of T lymphocytes (TCs)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.
  • Findingown data
    § Abstract

    The majority of epidermal T cells are CD2+/CD3+/CD5+ memory cells.

    “the majority of which are CD2+/CD3+/CD5+ “memory” cells”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.
  • Findingown data
    § Abstract

    Epidermal T cells are significantly more abundant in the sole than in the other body regions examined, with an average of 40 CD2+/CD3+ cells per linear centimeter in sole epidermis versus 7-8 in other regions.

    “Epidermal TCs were significantly (p less than 0.0001) more abundant in the sole than in the other body regions examined (i.e., 40 vs. 7 CD3+ cells/linear centimeter of epidermis)”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “within the epidermis of sole skin (Fig. 4) the density of TCs was significantly higher (p < 0.0001), with an average of 40 CD2/CD3' cells per linear centimeter of epidermis”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 16
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2
  • May combine two claims. 24

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    T cells usually contained a few small cytoplasmic granules that were round to ovoid with a central, osmiophilic core.

    “ally contained a few small cytoplasmic granules that were round to ovoid with a central, osmiophilic core”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given
    § Abstract

    Epidermal T cells are often in close apposition to Langerhans cells.

    “and are often in close apposition to Langerhans cells (LCs)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    Monocytes/macrophages, natural killer cells, and B cells were not observed within the epidermal compartment.

    “Monocytes/macrophages, nat- ural killer cells, and B cells also were not observed within the epidermal compart- ment”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    The CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+/Dako LC- cells were smaller than Langerhans cells, truncate or slightly dendritic, and located in either the basal or suprabasal layer.

    “that were smaller than LCs, truncate or slightly dendritic, and located in either the basal or suprabasal layer”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Abstract

    The epidermal CD4/CD8 ratio in the trunk and extremities was quite variable, with a trend towards a slightly larger percentage of CD8+ cells.

    “whereas the epidermal CD4/CD8 ratio in the trunk and extremities was quite variable, although the trend also was towards a slightly larger percentage of CD8+ cells”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    The majority of the CD45+ cells were CD1a+/HLA-DR+, highly dendritic, suprabasally located cells corresponding to Langerhans cells.

    “The majority were CDla'/HLA-DR', highly dendritic, suprabasally located cells, which by definition corresponded to LCs”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    Neither CD2+/CD3- nor CD2-/CD3+ cells were encountered within the epidermis.

    “Neither CD2'/CD3- nor CD2-/ CD3' cells were encountered within the epidermis”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data
    § Abstract

    Two cultures contained TCR-gamma/delta+ cells.

    “In addition, two cultures contained TCR- gamma/delta+ cells”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data
    § Results

    Anti-4B4 (CD29) staining yielded uninterpretable results because the basal keratinocyte layer was routinely 4B4+.

    “Efforts to stain with anti-4B4 mAb(CD29), which is specific for the (3, chain of the integrin family (reviewed in reference 26) and is reported to identify memory TCs (25), yielded uninterpretable results since thebasal KC layer was routinely 4B4'”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [26]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [25]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data
    § Results

    CD1a+ epidermal cells were occasionally UCHL1+.

    “CDla' cells were occasion- ally UCHL1'”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data
    § Results

    Organelles resembling melanosomes or Merkel cell granules were never observed in T cells.

    “organelles resembling melanosomes or Merkel cell granules were never observed”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    Langerhans cells did not express CD2, CD3, CD5, CD7, or CD8 antigens.

    “However, LCs did not express CD2, CD3, CD5, CD7, or CD8 antigens”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    T cells had a more spherical nuclear profile with a higher nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, lacked Birbeck granules, and exhibited a denser cytoplasm due to abundance of free ribosomes and nonaggregated, intermediate-size filaments.

    “since TCs had a more spherical nuclear profile with a higher nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, lacked Birbeck granules, and exhibited a denser cytoplasm due to the abundance of free ribosomes and nonaggregated, intermediate-size filaments”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    The majority of epidermal T cells lacked HLA-DR, CD25, and VLA-1 markers and were regarded as resting.

    “the majority lacked these markers (Table 11, Fig. 3, a and b) and were regarded as being in the “resting” state”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data
    § Abstract

    One of the TCR-gamma/delta+ cultures was determined to be an adherent CD4-/CD8+ population.

    “one of these determined to be an adherent CD4-/CD8+ population”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data
    § Results

    The protein precipitated with antiserum to TCR-gamma was approximately 43 kD.

    “Theprotein precipitated with antiserum to TCR-y was -43 kD”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingcitation
    § Discussion

    Preliminary analyses indicate that palm skin also harbors a larger number of epidermal TCs as compared with the trunk and limbs.

    “Preliminary analyses indicate that palm skin also harbors a larger number of epidermal TCs, as compared with the trunk and limbs (Foster, C. A., unpublished observations).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The observed regional differences in epidermal TC density and TC/LC ratios reflect true biological differences rather than differences in tissue sampling or processing across body sites.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Summary

    The sole usually contained a greater number of CD8+ relative to CD4+ TCs, whereas the epidermal CD4/CD8 ratio in the trunk and extremities was quite variable, with a trend towards a slightly larger percentage of CD8+ cells.

    “the sole usually contained a greater number of CD8+ relative to CD4+ TCs, whereas the epidermal CD4/CD8 ratio in the trunk and extremities was quite variable, although the trend also was towards a slightly larger percentage of CD8+ cells”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    Most cultured epidermal TCs were usually CD5+, CD25+, and HLA-DR+, while anti-CD7 reactivity was highly variable (10-90%).

    “While most of these were usually CD5', CD25', and HLA-DR', anti-CD7 reactivity was highly variable (10-90%)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    Essentially identical bands of 40-45 kD were precipitated by anti-TCR-alpha and anti-TCR-beta but not by anti-TCR-gamma using an NP-40 lysate, indicating that the dimer consisted of disulfide-linked alpha/beta chains that appeared identical to those seen in noncutaneous TCs.

    “lysate, indicating that the dimer consisted of disulfide-linked a/(3 chains that ap- peared identical to those seen in noncutaneous TCs”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    From 12 different individuals, cultures were established that could be maintained in a growth phase for 4-9 weeks, and the proliferating cells were routinely CD45+, CD2+, CD3+, CD1a-.

    “From 12 different indi- viduals, we established cultures that could be maintained in a growth phase for 4-9 wk and found that the proliferating cells were routinely CD45', CD2', CD3', CDla-”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § Summary

    Epidermal TCs are primarily distributed along the rete ridges in the basal keratinocyte layer and are often in close apposition to Langerhans cells.

    “Epidermal Ws primarily arc dis= tributed along the rete ridges in the basal keratinocyte layer and are often in close apposition to Langerhans cells (Ms)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Summary

    Two epidermal TC cultures contained TCR-gamma/delta+ cells; one of these was determined to be an adherent CD4-/CD8+ population.

    “two cultures contained TCR,y/S' cells; one of these was determined to be an adherent CD4-/CD8 + popu- lation”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Discussion

    An approximate 2:3 ratio of epidermal CD4+ to CD8+ TCs was observed, both of which were predominantly 2H4-/UCHL1+.

    “we observed an approximate 2:3 ratio of epidermal CD4' to CD8' TCs, both of which were predominantly 2H4-/UCHL1'”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    In two other epidermal TC cultures, the cells either were almost exclusively TCR-gamma/delta+ (mAbs 6TCS1 and TCRdelta1), CD2+/CD3+/CD4-/CD8+ and plastic adherent, or consisted of TCR-alpha/beta+ and TCR-gamma/delta+ (nonadherent) subpopulations.

    “In two other epidermal TC cultures (FAGS profiles not shown), the cells either were almost exclusively TCR-7/6' (mAbs 6TCS1 and TCRbl), as well as CD2+/CD3'/ CD4-/CD8' and plastic adherent, or consisted of TCR-a/0' and TCR-,y/6' (nonadherent) subpopulations”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Discussion

    More than 50% of epidermal TCs express the TCR-alpha/beta, while only a small fraction are TCR-gamma/delta+.

    “more than 50% express the TCRa//3 while only a small fraction are TCRy/b' .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    In some cases the TC-LC cellular relationship resembles a tight junction, while in other zones of contact the TC and LC membranes appear fused and indistinguishable from one another.

    “In some cases this cellular relationship resem- bled a tight junction, while in other zones of contact the TC and LC membranes appeared to be fused and were indistinguishable from one another”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data
    § Discussion

    The majority of epidermal TCs are basally located, CD2+/CD3+/CD5+/CD8+, and exhibit the phenotype of memory cells (2H4-/UCHL1+) in an unactivated state (HLA-DR-/CD25-/VLA-1-).

    “The majority are basally located, CD2'/CD3'/CD5'/CD8', and exhibit the phenotype of”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data
    § Abstract

    The study strengthens the concept for skin-associated lymphoid tissues (SALT), whereby memory T cells recirculate back to the epidermis and interact with resident antigen-presenting cells (i.e., Langerhans cells).

    “but also strengthens the concept for skin-associated lymphoid tissues (SALT), whereby memory TCs recirculate back to the epidermis and interact with resident antigen-presenting cells (i.e., LC)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data
    § Abstract

    The volar epidermis has a unique microenvironment responsible for both the higher density of T cells, preferentially CD8+, and lower number of Langerhans cells.

    “Collectively, our data suggest that the volar epidermis has a unique microenvironment which is responsible for both the higher density of TCs, preferentially CD8+, and lower number of LCs”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    A TCR gamma/delta-bearing lymphocyte population (DETC, dendritic epidermal T cell) exists in the mouse epidermis.

    “Therelatively recent discovery ofaTCRy/S-bearing lymphocyte population (DETC, dendritic epidermal Tcell) in the mouse epidermis (reviewed in reference 1)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Keratinocytes, at least upon stimulation, can secrete a plethora of immunomodulating cytokines.

    “keratinocytes (KC), at least upon stimula- tion, can secrete a plethora of immunomodulating cytokines (reviewed in reference 1)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Langerhans cells are potent antigen-presenting cells for a variety of T cell responses.

    “Langerhans cells (LCs)t are potent APCs fora va- riety of T cell (TC) responses”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Normal human epidermis is a complex immunological unit.

    “Normal human epidermis, long since dismissed as merely a protective covering for the body, is now recognized as a complex immunological unit”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given
    § Methods

    Nonviable cells were gated out by propidium iodide staining.

    “Nonviable cells were gated out by propidium iodide staining”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Normal human epidermis harbors lymphocytic-appearing cells.

    “it has been known for almost 40 years that the normal human epidermis harbors lymphocytic-appearing cells (2)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given
    § Methods

    In each immunolabeling method, irrelevant mAbs of the appropriate Ig isotype were used as negative controls.

    “In each method, irrelevant mAbs of the appropriate Ig isotype were used as negative controls”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data
    § Summary

    The volar epidermis has a unique microenvironment responsible for both the higher density of TCs, preferentially CD8+, and the lower number of LCs.

    “Collectively, our data suggest that the volar epidermis has a unique microenvironment which is responsible for both the higher density of TCs, preferentially CD8+ , and lower number of LCs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The observed regional differences in epidermal TC density and TC/LC ratios reflect true biological differences rather than differences in tissue sampling or processing across body sites.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data
    § Discussion

    Human epidermal CD3+ cells are variable in shape (spherical to polygonal, or only slightly dendritic), and the vast majority bear TCR-alpha/beta rather than gamma/delta heterodimers.

    “human epidermal CD3' cells are variable in shape (spherical to polygonal, or only slightly dendritic), and the vast majority bear TCR-a/0 rather than y/b heterodimers”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Discussion

    The necessary ingredients for an immune response would presumably be available within the epidermis without the necessity for TC recruitment from a regional lymph node and without eliciting signs of an overt immunological reaction.

    “Thus, the necessary ingredients for an immune re- sponse presumably would be available within the epidermis without the necessity for TC recruitment from a regional lymph node and without eliciting signs of an overt immunological reaction.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
40 of 40

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The CD45+/CD1a-/CD2+/CD3+ population within the epidermis are T lymphocytes.

    “Therefore, throughout this study we will refer to the CD45'/CDla/CD2'/CD3' population within the epidermis as T lymphocytes”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The observed regional differences in epidermal TC density and TC/LC ratios reflect true biological differences rather than differences in tissue sampling or processing across body sites.

    “were significantly more abundant in the sole than in the trunk and limbs (i.e., 40 vs. 7 CD3' cells/linear centimeter of epidermis)”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The in vitro culture conditions (Con A, IL-1, IL-2) do not selectively expand a subpopulation that differs phenotypically from the in situ epidermal TC population.

    “CD4- /CD8' TCs predominated in the majority of cultures, thus closely reflecting the in situ observation.”
3 of 3

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Non-sole cell ratio does not equal the stated percentage

    Minor

    A T-cell-to-Langerhans-cell ratio of 1:20 means T cells number 5% of Langerhans cells, not 6%.

    Reported 6 · recomputed 5

  • Non-sole T-cell density is reported as both seven and eight

    Minor

    The paper gives two different mean densities for the other body regions: seven and eight CD3-positive cells per linear centimeter of epidermis.

2 of 2

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Authors
Foster, C. A., Yokozeki, H., Rappersberger, K., Koning, F., Volc-Platzer, B., Rieger, A., Coligan, J. E., Wolff, K., & Stingl, G.
Affiliations
  • University of Vienna (AT)
  • Department of Dermatology I, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria.
ORCID
Venue
The Journal of experimental medicine
Publisher
Rockefeller University Press
Published
1990-04-01
Volume
171
Issue
4
Pages
997-1013
ISSN
  • 0022-1007 (ISSN-L)
  • 1540-9538
DOI
10.1084/jem.171.4.997
PMC
PMC2187846
OpenAlex
W1982300086
Semantic Scholar
5cc08a2a2b439d40fd5278e070c979794881c4b7
Cited by
182
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
FWCI
6.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Journal of Experimental Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
Keywords
epidermal T cells, alpha beta T cell receptor, T cell receptor gamma delta, CD8+ T cells, CD4/CD8 ratio, Langerhans cells, skin-associated lymphoid tissue, rete ridges, eccrine sweat duct, sole, T cell memory, antigen-presenting cells, keratinocytes
MeSH terms
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Cells, Cultured, Epidermis, Humans, Immunoenzyme Techniques, Microscopy, Electron, Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, Skin, T-Lymphocytes, Antigens, CD

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-22.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-22.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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