T-CELL RECEPTOR V-BETA EXPRESSION IS RESTRICTED IN DERMATITIS-HERPETIFORMIS SKIN

An infiltrate of T-cells is found in lesional dermatitis herpetiformis skin, but the role of these cells in the pathogenesis of the skin les ions is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine T-cell recep tor V beta expression in skin biopsies taken from patients with dermat itis herpetiformis. Expression of eleven T-cell receptor V beta famili es in biopsies obtained from 10 patients was examined by immunoperoxid ase staining and compared simultaneously with peripheral blood lymphoc ytes. Overrepresentation of V beta 2 (p < 0.02), V beta 5.2/5.3 (p < 0 .01) and V beta 5.3 (p < 0.05) was found in lesional dermatitis herpet iformis skin compared with peripheral blood lymphocytes. These results suggest that recognition of an antigen(s) or superantigen is involved in the pathogenesis of dermatitis herpetiformis skin lesions.