Analysis of epsilon germline transcripts and IL-4 mRNA expression in the adenoids suggests local IgE switching.
BACKGROUND
We have previously observed more frequent occurrence of IgE+ and FcepsilonRI+ cells in adenoids of atopic than nonatopic children. To investigate the hypothesis that the adenoids are involved in IgE production, we analyzed the levels of epsilon germline (epsilonGL), IL-4, and IFN-gamma transcripts in the adenoids in relation to atopy and presence of ear disease.


METHODS
Adenoidectomy was performed on 19 atopic and 18 nonatopic children (median age 5 years, range 2-12 years) suffering from otitis media with effusion (OME) (n = 16) or obstructive adenoids hyperplasia (AH) (n = 21). The levels of epsilonGL transcripts, IL-4, and IFN-gamma mRNA were analyzed by competitive reverse transcriptase-PCR.


RESULTS
EpsilonGL transcript levels in the adenoids were found to be dependent on IL-4 mRNA expression (P < 0.01) and serum IgE levels (P < 0.05) (R2 = 0.32, n = 37). IL-4 mRNA expression was associated with epsilonGL transcript levels (rs = 0.32, P = 0.05, n = 37), especially among patients with AH (rs = 0.53, P = 0.01, n = 21). No significant differences in IL-4 and IFN-gamma mRNA levels were observed between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports an IL-4-induced class switch to IgE production in the adenoids that might be of importance for inflammatory reactions in the upper respiratory tract.
Aström
K
K
Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Magnusson
C G
CG
Papatziamos
G
G
Hemlin
C
C
Scheynius
A
A
van der Ploeg
I
I
D000234:Adenoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma