Rapid response of circulating myeloid dendritic cells to inhaled allergen in asthmatic subjects.
BACKGROUND
Dendritic cells (DC) are thought to play a key role in the initiation and maintenance of T cell immunity to inhaled antigens. While the density of DC within the bronchial mucosa is increased in stable asthma, there is little information currently available concerning the effects of allergen inhalation on DC in subjects with asthma.


OBJECTIVE
To enumerate changes in the numbers of circulating CD33(+) myeloid DC in asthmatics, before and after allergen challenge.


METHODS
Blood DC numbers were enumerated by flow cytometry before and at 3, 6 and 24 h after inhaled allergen and diluent in 10 mild, allergic asthmatic subjects.


RESULTS
Blood DC numbers rapidly fell from 3.42 +/- 0.30 x 10(7)/L at baseline, to 2.10 +/- 0.17 x 10(7)/L by 3 h post-challenge (P < 0.01), and remained significantly below baseline values at both 6 and 24 h following allergen challenge. No such changes in DC numbers were noted after diluent challenge. A similar, early fall in circulating lymphocytes was also noted post-allergen challenge, whereas changes in circulating eosinophil and neutrophil numbers occurred more slowly.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant proportion of myeloid DC rapidly 'disappear' from the circulation following allergen inhalation, suggesting that margination of circulating myeloid DC, and their recruitment into the airway mucosa, is an important feature of the immune response to inhaled allergen.
Upham
J W
JW
Department of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, and Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Denburg
J A
JA
O'Byrne
P M
PM
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D022423:Myeloid Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D000485:Allergens