Flow-cytometric analysis of T-cell receptor expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes.
BACKGROUND
Lymphocytes of subjects sensitized to the insect-derived allergen Chi t 1-9 are, in response to the allergen, characterized by an elevated proliferation and increased expression of activation markers such as HLA-DR and CD25 in vitro. A restriction for HLA-DR B1 in monosensitized patients was found.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the response to the allergen Chi t 1-9 involves the preferential cell surface expression of a specific alpha/beta T-cell receptor type.


METHODS
The T-cell receptor repertoire was measured with 7 monoclonal antibodies to epitopes on the variable region of the alpha- and beta-chain by flow cytometry. Cell lines of 9 patients were established with Chi t 1-9, 6 with tetanus toxoid and 6 with phytohaemagglutinin in the presence of interleukin 2. In addition, non-stimulated lymphocytes as well as lymphocytes of 5 non-sensitized controls exposed to Chi t 1-9 were examined.


RESULTS
Each of the 9 sensitized and 5 control subjects studied showed an individual pattern of lymphocyte expression for each T-cell receptor specificity. However, after stimulation specific to Chi t 1-9 for 2 weeks, a significant increase in V beta 8-expressing cells was measurable only in patients sensitized to Chi t 1-9. The cells of the 5 control subjects showed no significant changes due to the allergen stimulation.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that the expression of certain T-cell receptor types plays an important role in the development of Chi t 1-9 allergy.
Liebers
V
V
Berufsgenossenschaftliches Forschungsinstitut für Arbeitsmedizin an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Deutschland.
Raulf-Heimsoth
M
M
Krekel
C
C
Baur
X
X
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002460:Cell Line; D002683:Chironomidae / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019476:Insect Proteins; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000378:metabolism*
D000485:Allergens; C071697:Chi t I allergen; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006454:Hemoglobins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D015847:Interleukin-4