title: TNF alpha mRNA expression in allergic inflammation.
abstract: Using the technique of in situ hybridization, we have attempted to identify messenger RNA for tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) in cells infiltrating allergen-induced late phase reaction (LPR) of the skin and the nose of atopic subjects. We have also compared the number of TNF alpha mRNA positive cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from atopic asthmatics and normal controls. Twenty-four hours after local allergen challenge, 12/14 skin biopsies and 9/10 nasal biopsies had positive hybridization signals for TNF alpha mRNA whereas only 4/14 and 2/10 biopsies were positive in the relevant diluent controls. Compared with diluent sites significantly increased numbers of cells expressing mRNA for TNF alpha were observed in the LPR of skin (P less than 0.004) and nose (P less than 0.006). All BAL from asthmatics (n = 10) and from normal volunteers (n = 10) had cells showing positive hybridization signals for TNF alpha mRNA but these were at increased frequency in asthmatics (P less than 0.001). These results suggest that TNF alpha may be an important cytokine in atopic allergic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, U.K.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Varney
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsicopoulos
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moqbel
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Durham
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hamid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007249:Inflammation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha