title: Increases in activated T lymphocytes, eosinophils, and cytokine mRNA expression for interleukin-5 and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor in bronchial biopsies after allergen inhalation challenge in atopic asthmatics.
abstract: Immunohistology and in situ hybridization were used to evaluate the presence, activation status, and cytokine mRNA profile of cells in the bronchial mucosa during human allergen-induced asthma. Fifteen atopic asthmatic subjects underwent inhalation challenge with allergen and with allergen diluent, performed in random order separated by an interval of at least 3 wk. Bronchial biopsies were obtained 24 h after challenge. Immunostaining revealed increases in the numbers of secreting eosinophils (EG2+; P < 0.05) and in interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R)-positive cells (CD25+; P < 0.01) after allergen compared with diluent challenge. No differences were observed in the numbers of total leukocytes (CD45+), T lymphocytes (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+), elastase-positive neutrophils, macrophages (CD68+), or mast cell subtypes (MCT+ or MCTC+). In situ hybridization revealed significant increases in the numbers of cells expressing mRNA for IL-5 (P < 0.02) and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (P < 0.01) after allergen compared with diluent challenge. A significant inverse relationship was observed between the number of cells expressing mRNA for IL-4 and for interferon-gamma (r = -0.75, P < 0.02). The results support the view that cytokines possibly from activated T lymphocytes may contribute to local eosinophil accumulation during allergen-induced asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Heart & Lung Institute, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hamid
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Durham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D015848:Interleukin-5; D007378:Interleukins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor