The dendritic cell high-affinity IgE receptor is overexpressed in both asthma and severe COPD.
BACKGROUND
The reduction of asthma exacerbations following omalizumab treatment has been related to the suppression of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs). However, the FcεRI expression on DCs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To compare FcεRI expression on DCs in COPD with patients with allergic asthma and healthy controls, and to relate the findings to clinical parameters, blood eosinophil concentrations and serum immunoglobin E (IgE) concentrations.


METHODS
Using four-colour flow cytometry, FcεRI expression on blood myeloid DCs and plasmacytoid DCs was analyzed in 64 patients with COPD, 20 patients with allergic asthma, 41 asymptomatic never smokers and 21 asymptomatic current smokers.


RESULTS
As compared with never smokers, current smokers displayed an increased expression of the FcεRI on myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs. In patients with COPD, the expression of the FcεRI on plasmacytoid DCs, but not myeloid DCs, increased from spirometric GOLD stage 2 to GOLD stage 4, and was correlated with several lung function parameters. Patients with severe COPD and patients with allergic asthma displayed a similar FcεRI overexpression on plasmacytoid DCs. In all groups, there was a positive correlation between total IgE serum concentrations and the FcεRI expression on plasmacytoid DCs.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe COPD and allergic asthma are characterized by a similar overexpression of the high-affinity IgE receptor on plasmacytoid DCs. In view of the effect of anti-IgE on exacerbations in asthma, trials investigating the effect of anti-IgE on exacerbations in severe COPD appear to be warranted.
Department of Pneumology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
P
P
Stoll
Department of Pneumology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
A
A
Bähker
Department of Pneumology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
M
M
Ulrich
Department of Pneumology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
K
K
Bratke
Department of Pneumology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
K
K
Garbe
Department of Pneumology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
J
J
Christian Virchow
Department of Pneumology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
M
M
Lommatzsch
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004804:Eosinophils; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D017455:Receptors, IgE; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
COPD; asthma; dendritic cell; flow cytometry; immunoglobulin E