Activated T cells in the nasal mucosa of patients with grass-pollen allergy. A pilot study.
Six patients with grass-pollen allergy were provoked with water-soluble grass pollen until a pronounced allergic reaction occurred. This was performed outside the grass-pollen season, and the allergen was administered on the edge of the inferior turbinate. Biopsies were taken both before provocation and during the reaction, 15-30 minutes after provocation. The nasal population of immunohistochemically positive cells for HLA-DR, CD1, interleukin-2-receptor, IgE, CD4 and CD8 were studied. There was a marked increase of IL2-R-positive cells (activated T lymphocytes) in the nasal mucosa after provocation, whilst the other cell populations approximately remained unchanged (apart from a certain increase of IgE). The increase of activated T lymphocytes may imply that certain subsets of T cells play a role in the allergic response, and that the role of helper T cells very likely is much more complex than the regulation of mast cells and eosinophils. The concomitant presence of Langerhans' cells (CD1-positive) and activated T lymphocytes may indicate a possible association on site between an antigen-presenting cell and both effector as well as memory cells in allergic reactions.
Hellquist
H B
HB
Dept. of Pathology, Orebro Medical Center Hospital, Sweden.
Karlsson
M G
MG
Rudblad
S
S
Ekedahl
C
C
Davidsson
A
A
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens