Intra-epithelial lymphocytes and non-lymphoid cells in the human nasal mucosa.
Immunohistochemical staining of biopsy specimens was used to investigate the occurrence of lymphocyte subsets and non-lymphoid cells within the epithelial layer of the human nasal mucosa. The CD19 (B cell) marker was not expressed on the intra-epithelial lymphocytes, whereas the pan T cell marker CD2 was varyingly detected. The HLA-Dr antigen was abundantly present on epithelial cells, lymphocytes, and non-lymphoid cells. The latter are probably dendritic or Langerhans' cells. The findings stated above were the same in patient and control samples. In biopsy sections of 9 ear, nose, and throat patients, many CD8-positive (T suppressor/cytotoxic) cells and very few weakly stained CD4-expressing (T helper/inducer) cells were present. Quantification on single-cell preparations showed an average of 67% of the lymphocytes to be CD2 positive, 73% to be CD8 positive, while only 12% of the lymphocytes expressed the CD4 antigen. In control sections CD8 was similarly present as in patient sections, and, in addition, some clearly stained CD4-positive cells were seen.
Hameleers
D M
DM
Department of Histology, Medical Faculty, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Stoop
A E
AE
van der Ven
I
I
Biewenga
J
J
van der Baan
S
S
Sminia
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D008867:Microtomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013535:Suspensions
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D013535:Suspensions