Characterization of CD45RO+ memory T lymphocytes in keloid disease

Keloid is a type of scar which seems like an overgrown scar, and can even be larger or more visible than the original wound. They are most common in darker skin types. Although the exact causes of keloid remain unknown, we know that the immune system is involved. Memory T lymphocytes are cells that can provide a rapid and highly effective immune response against pathogens (harmful bacteria or viruses) and can recognize a wide variety of antigens (toxins or foreign substances in the body). In this study, the authors sought to investigate the abnormalities of a specific memory T cell called CD3⁺CD45RO⁺ in keloid scars by analyzing blood and tissue samples. The authors, from Shanghai, China, found that most of T lymphocytes in keloid scars are CD3⁺CD45RO⁺ memory T cells, and they describe the ways in which this type differs from another type of memory T cells called FOXP3^‐CD8^‐mT. The authors also identified a profound decrease in the number of cells, called CD4⁺CD25^highFOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells, in patients with multiple keloid scars, and a significant increase of CD8⁺CD103⁺ memory T cells in keloid scars. The authors concluded that there exist distinct abnormalities in CD45RO⁺ memory T‐cell subsets in keloid scars and it may imply that dysregulation of T cell responses may play a role in the development of keloid scarring. Further research is required.