SEs induce IL-17 production from cocultures of primary malignant T cells and nonmalignant CD4 T cells. (A) PBMCs from a CTCL patient were stimulated with either vehicle (PBS) or SEA (200 ng/mL) for 24 hours and then sorted by CD4 and CD26. IL17A gene expression from malignant and nonmalignant cells was determined by qPCR and normalized to GAPDH expression. (B) Primary malignant T cells from a CTCL patient and nonmalignant CD4 T cells were mono- and cocultured with either vehicle (PBS) or SEA (200 ng/mL). IL-17A protein was measured in the supernatant after 24 hours of incubation with ELISA. (C) Primary malignant T cells from a CTCL patient and nonmalignant CD4 T cells were cocultured with SEA and blocking antibodies against IL-2, IL-7, or IL-15 or against a combination of IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15 (mAb comb) for 24 hours. IL-17A concentrations were determined by ELISA and normalized to 106 cells and are shown in absolute concentrations and in percent inhibition of IC control.
