To characterize the peripheral-lesional axis of memory T cells in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) by comparing skin and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HS patients and healthy controls.
Approach:
Sample Collection: Skin and matched blood samples were collected from HS patients and healthy controls for flow cytometry analysis.
Flow Cytometry Analysis: T cell subsets and cytokine profiles (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17A) were evaluated in the collected samples.
Key Findings:
CD4+ central memory T cells (TCM) were significantly expanded in HS lesions (21%) compared to healthy skin (<1%).
A positive correlation was observed between skin-infiltrating TCM and those in systemic circulation.
CD4+ resident memory T cells (TRM) were significantly depleted in HS lesions (~30% to <10%).
Skin-derived memory cells produced significantly higher levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17A than matched PBMCs.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
The study involved a small sample size (n = 7 HS patients and n = 5 healthy controls).
Exclusion criteria limited the generalizability of findings to patients not on certain treatments.
