T Cell Signatures in Atopic Dermatitis, Cancer, HIV and Aging

t-SNE plot showing differences in flu responses between non-atopic and Atopic Dermatitis subjects.

Atopic Dermatitis is a potentially severe skin allergic reaction, and can be exacerbated by Staphylococcal aureus colonization.  As part of a Barrier study in the Atopic Dermatitis Research Network (ADRN) we compared the T cell responses to allergens and standard vaccine antigens in non-allergic subjects; AD patients without Staph, and AD with Staph.  Surprisingly, the influenza memory responses of these three groups were recognizably different when analyzed by our high-resolution flow cytometry tools.  Currently, and ADRN clinical trial is in progress, using the Regeneron monoclonal antibody dupilumab, which binds to the common subunit of the receptors for IL-4 and IL-13.  Peripheral blood samples are being collected for deep analysis of te T cell responses, with the long-term goal of integrating these changes with microbiological and skin barrier measures.

High-resolution flow cytometry analysis of T cell responses is also being performed in collaborative studies on Aging; HIV vaccine trials and natural infection; and lymphoma patients responding to treatment.