Increased expression of plasma and CD4+ T lymphocyte costimulatory molecule CD26 in adult patients with allergic asthma.
CD26, which is a costimulatory molecule and peptidase, is responsible for the degradation of interferon (IFN)-gamma-induced chemokines. To elucidate the immunopathological role of CD26 in allergic asthma, we investigated plasma soluble CD26 (sCD26) concentration and its cell surface expression on lymphocytes, monocytes, CD4+ T helper, CD8+ T suppressor plus cytotoxic T, invariant natural killer T (iNKT), and CD19+ B lymphocytes in allergic asthmatic patients. Plasma sCD26 was significantly elevated in asthmatic patients regardless of inhaled corticosteroid treatment (all P < 0.05). Cell surface expression of CD26 was significantly up-regulated on lymphocytes, especially on CD4+ and iNKT lymphocytes (all P < 0.05), but not on other cell types. Significant positive correlations were found between sCD26 and the percentage of eosinophils, Th2-related chemokines CCL5 and CCL22, and costimulatory molecule sCTLA-4 (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, the aberrant expression of CD26 may contribute to the inflammatory process and Th2 predominance in the immunopathogenesis of allergic asthma.
Lun
Samantha W M
SW
Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Wong
C K
CK
Ko
Fanny W S
FW
Hui
David S C
DS
Lam
Christopher W K
CW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002681:China; D018819:Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015854:Up-Regulation
D018819:Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4