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CD4+CD7− T Cells: A Separate Subpopulation of Memory T Cells?

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Abstract

The CD7 molecule is apparently involved in T cell activation but is absent in a substantial subpopulation of human T cells under physiological and certain pathological conditions. The majority of CD7− T cells expresses TCR α/β and is of CD4+ helper and CD45R0+CD45RA− memory phenotype. After birth, percentages and absolute numbers of circulating CD7− T cells increase significantly during aging. A number of molecules thought to be involved in organ-specific T cell homing are preferentially expressed within the subset of CD4+CD7− T cells. Specific absence of CD7 antigen expression on T cells is observed in a variety of pathologic conditions such as cutaneous T cell lymphoma, HIV infection, rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney transplantation. Current in vitro results suggest that specific downregulation of CD7 antigen expression in T cells reflects a separate and stable differentiation state occurring late in the immune response. Expansion of CD7− T cells in vivo has been found in certain diseases associated with chronically repeated T cell stimulation. The potential pathophysiological significance of this T cell subset in certain human diseases is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Homburg/Saar, 66421, Homburg/Saar, Germany

    Uwe Reinhold

  2. Laboratory for Tumorgenetics and Cell Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, 50924, Cologne, Germany

    Hinrich Abken

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  1. Uwe Reinhold
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  2. Hinrich Abken
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Reinhold, U., Abken, H. CD4+CD7− T Cells: A Separate Subpopulation of Memory T Cells?. J Clin Immunol 17, 265–271 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1027318530127

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1027318530127

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