Preliminary evidence for 'aberrant' expression of the leukocyte integrin LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) on conjunctival epithelial cells of patients with mite allergy.
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.
Pesce
G
G
Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Ciprandi
G
G
Buscaglia
S
S
Fiorino
N
N
Salmaso
C
C
Riccio
A M
AM
Canonica
G W
GW
Bagnasco
M
M
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
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1