Lymphocyte subsets in normal airway mucosa of the human nose.
The distribution and number of lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages, and cells expressing HLA-DR antigen were studied in frozen biopsy sections of nasal mucosa from 40 healthy adults, using monoclonal antibody avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase techniques. The lymphocyte to monocyte/macrophage ratio was estimated to be 10:1; the T cell to B cell ratio was 3:1; and the T helper/inducer cell to T suppressor/cytotoxic cell ratio averaged 2.5:1. Regional differences were observed with a relatively increased number of T suppressor/cytotoxic cells around submucosal glands, and a relatively large number of B cells in lymphocyte aggregates in the lamina propria. The HLA-DR antigen was expressed in epithelial cells, suggesting involvement of surface epithelium of human airway in local immune responses.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000145:classification*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens