CD30 expression does not discriminate between human Th1- and Th2-type T cells

CD30 is a member of the TNF receptor superfamily that is commonly used as a marker for Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's disease. More recently, it has been proposed that CD30 is preferentially up-regulated on Th2-type human T cells. We analyzed regulation of CD30 expression on both peripheral blood T cells and T cell clones. In short-term culture, CD30 expression could be induced on T cells by Ags that elicit Th2-type responses (Schistosoma haematobium, adult worm Ag, and Toxocaria canis, excretory/secretory Ag) and Th0-type responses (tetanus toxoid), as well as Th1-type responses (tuberculin purified protein derivative). Moreover, simultaneous measurement of membrane phenotype and cytokine production showed that CD30-expressing cells can produce IFN-gamma. Finally, within panels of randomly generated as well as Ag-specific T cell clones, CD30 expression was found on Th0-, Th2-, and Th1-type clones. We conclude that induction of CD30 on activated T cells is not related to differentiation in Th0-, Th1-, or Th2-type cells.