In Vitro Priming of Naı̈ve T-cells with p-Phenylenediamine and Bandrowski’s Base

Abstract

p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is a component of hair dye formulations that is associated with T-cell mediated allergic contact dermatitis. Antigen-specific T-cells from allergic contact dermatitis patients are activated with either PPD or the oxidation product, Bandrowski's base. In nonallergic individuals, T-cells that are activated by Bandrowski's base, but not by PPD, are readily detectable. The aim of the current study was to use an in vitro T-cell priming assay to assess the activation of memory and naı̈ve T-cells from healthy donors with PPD and Bandrowski's base, and to compare these responses to those observed from allergic patients. Both PPD and Bandrowski's base-responsive clones were generated from allergic patients. The majority of Bandrowski's base-responsive clones were CD4+ and displayed a lack of PPD reactivity. In contrast, CD4+ and CD8+ clones displaying PPD reactivity were detected. Approximately 25% of these displayed low levels of reactivity to Bandrowski's base. Clones from the allergic patients secreted a range of cytokines including IFN-γ, Il-13, and Il-22. In healthy donors, Bandrowski's base-specific T-cell proliferative responses and cytokine secretion were detected with both naı̈ve and memory T-cells. T-cell clones generated from the Bandrowski's base-responsive cultures responded to Bandrowski's base but not PPD. PPD-specific naı̈ve and memory T-cell responses were not detected from healthy donors. These data show that Bandrowski's base stimulates pre-existing memory T-cells isolated from healthy donors and primes naı̈ve T-cells when the chemical is bound to autologous dendritic cells. Priming naı̈ve T-cells against PPD failed, suggesting an important individual susceptibility factor is missing from the in vitro T-cell priming assay.

T lymphocyte phenotype of contact‐allergic patients: experience with nickel and p‐phenylenediamine

“…There are reports that suggest that CD4 + cells may be more prevalent in skin lesions 52 ; however, it is generally accepted that both CD4 + and CD8 + cells producing interferon-γ, IL-17 and IL-22 are involved in contact allergic responses. 1,[53][54][55] To our knowledge, there are no previous reports showing that contact allergy is associated with increased numbers of total CD8 + cells and a decreased numbers of total CD4 + cells. This is also not a feature of other forms of allergic disease such as allergic asthma, as even severe asthmatics had CD4 + / CD8 + ratios similar to those of healthy controls.…”

A case report of alopecia totalis associated with permanent hair dye use

“…Both CD4 + and CD8 + T cells producing IFN, IL-17, and IL-22 are believed to be involved in contact dermatitis related to PPD. 4 The “use test” performed by our patient showed classic type IV hypersensitivity reaction to the hair dye. However, he initially had only patchy hair loss without skin inflammation consistent with AA, which was confirmed by biopsy.…”

Skin barrier damage after exposure to paraphenylenediamine

“…33 If left in contact with oxygen, it polymerizes into its trimer Bandrowski base, which also has an immunestimulating capacity. 34 In healthy skin PPD is N-acetylated to a safe metabolite in the uppermost layers of the skin. 35 When PPD concentrations saturate the N-acetyltransferases in the skin, the remaining PPD can oxidize and cleave a wide range of proteins on the cell surface, releasing non-self-cleaved peptides into the tissue environment.…”