title: Preliminary evidence for 'aberrant' expression of the leukocyte integrin LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) on conjunctival epithelial cells of patients with mite allergy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have previously shown aberrant expression of the 'leukocyte' integrin LFA-1 on epithelial cells in chronic autoimmune thyroiditis. In the present study we investigated whether conjunctival epithelial cells, which bear the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 on their surface during allergic inflammation, may also aberrantly express its natural ligand, the 'leukocyte' integrin LFA-1.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 13 patients with rhinoconjunctivitis allergic to mites, chronically exposed to the allergen, 11 patients allergic to pollen tested out of the pollen season and 8 normal volunteers. Single and double immunocytochemical staining of conjunctival smears was employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LFA-1 staining on epithelial cells was demonstrated in 12/13 patients allergic to mites and not in normal controls or in patients allergic to pollen tested out of the pollen season. The epithelial localization of LFA-1 was confirmed by double staining with anti-LFA-1 and anti-cytokeratin antibodies (both immunocytochemical and immunofluorescence).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coexpression of LFA-1 and ICAM-1 during persistent allergen stimulation may be relevant for interaction between epithelial cells and activated effector cells, such as eosinophils, which bear on their surface both ICAM-1 and its beta2 integrin ligands.
authors: Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Pesce
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Ciprandi
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Buscaglia
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Fiorino
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Salmaso
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Riccio
authors: G W
authors: GW
authors: Canonica
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bagnasco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007249:Inflammation; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1