Expression of membrane-bound CD23 in nasal mucosal B cells from patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
CD23 is the low-affinity receptor for IgE on B cells and is thought to play an important role in regulation of IgE production.


OBJECTIVE
To measure the expression of membrane-bound CD23 in nasal B cells and examine its correlation with CD4 subtypes or serum IgE levels in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
We used flow cytometric analysis with double, direct immunofluorescence staining of the mucosal-infiltrating lymphocytes to examine the expression of CD23 in nasal mucosal B cells of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. The expression of CD23 in nasal B cells of patients with nonatopic rhinosinusitis served as a control.


RESULTS
The ratio of CD23+ B cells to total B cells in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis was significantly higher than in nonatopic controls, whereas that of B cells to total lymphocytes was unchanged. The ratio of CCR4+ CD4 cells to total CD4 cells in allergic patients was significantly higher than in nonatopic controls, whereas the ratio of CXCR3+ CD4 cells to total CD4 cells was unchanged. There was no significant correlation between the percentages of CD23+ B cells and CCR4+ CD4 cells. In addition, the percentage of CD23+ B cells did not correlate with the total IgE level or with the specific IgE level.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that nasal mucosal CD23-bearing B cells, as well as T(H)2 cells, increase in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. However, the expression of CD23 did not directly correlate with the number of T(H)2 cells in the nasal mucosa.
Horiguchi
Shigetoshi
S
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. horiguti@faculty.chiba-u.jp
Okamoto
Yoshitaka
Y
Chazono
Hideaki
H
Sakurai
Daiju
D
Kobayashi
Kouichi
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D054367:Receptors, CXCR3; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
C515187:CXCR3 protein, human; D054367:Receptors, CXCR3; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D007073:Immunoglobulin E