title: Lymphocyte activation by house dust allergen in asthma: analysis with monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (MNC) response to house dust (HD) stimulation in cultures was studied in a group of 35 subjects with asthma and a multiple positive skin test (ST) reaction to inhalant allergens including HD, and in 19 healthy controls. The MNC response to allergen stimulation was assessed by interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression identified with an anti-Tac monoclonal antibody. Lymphocyte subpopulations of baseline and cultured cells were also analysed. The percentage of IL-2R presenting cells increased significantly in HD-driven cultures in the asthma group compared to controls. The increase in proportion of IL-2R+ cells was closely related to the increase in CD4+ percentage of cultured cells and was accompanied by a decrease in proportion of CD8+ lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages, suggesting that HD-activated cells were CD4+ lymphocytes. Lymphocyte activation, measured by IL-2R expression, was significantly higher in the group of asthmatics, and positive dual (early and late) skin reaction to HD, as compared to those with single early reaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tuberculosis and Pulmonary Diseases, Institute of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004391:Dust; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2