Comparative immunophenotyping of monocytes from symptomatic and asymptomatic atopic individuals.
BACKGROUND
Allergy has at least two components - a genetic predisposition referred to as atopy and the progress from an atopic state to clinically apparent disease. Peripheral blood monocytes are circulating myeloid precursors of antigen-presenting cells. The expression of cell surface proteins on monocytes may therefore witness the disease status and affect the development of allergic disease.


METHODS
Monocytes were isolated from atopic individuals with seasonal allergic rhinitis (n = 10), from atopic individuals sensitized to aeroallergens but without any signs of acute disease (n = 11), and from healthy nonatopic donors (n = 21). Detailed comparative phenotypic analysis of CD14(+) and FcepsilonRI(+)CD14(+) monocytes was performed by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
CD14(+) monocytes from symptomatic atopic donors showed a significant increase in the cell surface intensity of the integrin adhesion molecule CD11c over monocytes from asymptomatic atopic and nonatopic donors. Asymptomatic atopic individuals showed significantly enhanced expression of FcepsilonRI on the CD14(high)CD16(dim) monocyte subset compared with this subset from symptomatic atopic and nonatopic donors.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in monocyte surface intensity of the adhesion molecule CD11c may be involved in the manifestation of allergic disease. FcepsilonRI on CD14(high)CD16(dim) monocytes of asymptomatic atopic donors may be of functional importance for the maintenance of clinical unresponsiveness toward allergens.
Department of Dermatology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
D
D
von Bubnoff
M
M
Scheler
T
T
Hinz
H
H
Matz
S
S
Koch
T
T
Bieber
D000328:Adult; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000032:analysis
D039521:CD11c Antigen; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D017452:Receptors, IgG