CD4+ and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes may induce mesenchymal cell apoptosis in IgG4-related disease

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated fibrotic disorder that has been linked to CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD4+CTLs). The effector phenotype of CD4+CTLs and the relevance of both CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+CTLs) and apoptotic cell death remain undefined in IgG4-RD.We sought to define CD4+CTL heterogeneity, characterize the CD8+CTL response in the blood and in lesions, and determine whether enhanced apoptosis may...