SOLUBLE CD4 - A LINK BETWEEN SPECIFIC IMMUNE-MECHANISMS AND NONSPECIFIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES

The CD4 molecule is an important cell surface molecule expressed on ma ny cell types including T-helper cells. CD4 can be shed from cells, an d the truncated soluble form of CD4 (sCD4) has been found elevated in serum in several diseases. In this study the authors show that migrati on of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) is induced by sCD4. Histopat hology of the site of injection of recombinant sCD4 in the skin shows local infiltration of PMN. In vitro, in Boyden chamber, sCD4 can rapid ly give rise to a dose-dependent migration of PMN. The authors specula te that sCD4 can be another chemotactic factor and, as such, constitut es a link within the immune system between specific and non-specific e lements of inflammation.