UCHL1+ (CD45RO+) 'memory' T cells predominate in the CD4+ cellular infiltrate associated with allergen-induced late-phase skin reactions in atopic subjects.

We have previously shown that CD4+ T lymphocytes accumulated at the site of allergen induced late-phase reactions (LPR) in the skin of atopic subjects. In order to determine whether these were predominantly 'memory' or 'naive' cells, monoclonal antibodies recognizing isoforms of the CD45 common leucocyte antigen and immunocytochemical methods were used to study the composition of the T cell infiltrate. Allergen-induced late-phase skin reactions were biopsied 6, 24 or 48 h after allergen challenge. Memory (CD45RO+/UCHL1+) T cells predominated and few naive (CD45RA+/Leu18+) cells were identified. Double immunofluorescence was used to confirm that the UCHL1+ and Leu 18+ cells were CD4+ T lymphocytes. The selective recruitment of memory T cells to LPR sites is consistent with the active involvement of T lymphocytes in atopic allergic inflammation. A possible alternative explanation for apparently selective recruitment is the differential expression of endothelial adhesion molecules on memory and naive T lymphocytes.