CCR8 expression identifies CD4 memory T cells enriched for FOXP3+ regulatory and Th2 effector lymphocytes

CD4(+) Th2 cells are important regulators of allergic inflammation. CCR8 is thought to play a role in Th2-mediated responses, however, expression of CCR8 in peripheral blood has not been fully characterized. Using a fluorescent form of the ligand selective for CCR8 (F-CCL1), we identified the leukocytes expressing CCR8 in human, monkey, and mouse peripheral blood. CCR8 expression is primarily restricted to a subset of human CD4 memory T lymphocytes (15%). Approximately 40% of CCR8(+)CD4(+) T cells express Th2 cytokines IL-4 or IL-13 while 13% express the Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma. In fact, 50% of all Th2, but only 5% of Th1, cells express CCR8. Upon anti-CD3/anti-CD28 mAb-mediated activation, CCR8(+)CD4(+) T cells secrete 3- to 7-fold higher levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 and 10- to 20-fold lower levels of IFN-gamma or IL-17, compared with CCR8-CD4(+) memory T cells. Two-thirds of CCR8(+)CD4 T cells express cutaneous lymphocyte-associated Ag while the majority lack gut-homing receptors. CCR8(+)CD4(+) cells express CCR7 and CD62L and are present in spleen and lymph nodes of mice. Approximately 25% of CCR8(+)CD4 T cells express CD25(high) while 20% of CCR8(+)CD4(+) express the T regulatory cell transcription factor FOXP3 accounting for 60% of all FOXP3-expressing CD4(+) T cells. In conclusion, CCR8 marks a diverse subset of CD4 memory T cells enriched for T regulatory and Th2 cells which have the potential for recruitment into sites of allergic inflammation where they could participate in the induction and regulation of the allergic response.