Allergen-specific T cell quantity in blood is higher in allergic compared to nonallergic individuals

• Main Authors: Ueno-Yamanouchi Aito, Khan Faisal M, Serushago Bazir, Bowen Tom, Lu Cathy, Luider Joanne, Storek Jan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-04-01
• Series: Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology
• Online Access: http://www.aacijournal.com/content/7/1/6

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Allergen-specific IgE production is a hallmark of allergic asthma/rhinitis/eczema. Theoretically this could be due to a high number of allergen-specific B cells or allergen-specific T cells helping allergen-specific B cells differentiate into IgE-producing plasma cells. Here, we determined whether the number of allergen-specific B cells or T helper (Th) cells is higher in allergic individuals compared to nonallergic individuals.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 52 allergic individuals and 32 nonallergic individuals were studied. The allergen-specific B and Th cells were enumerated by culturing CFSE-loaded blood mononuclear cells for 7-days with allergen (cat, Timothy or birch), and determining the number of proliferating B or Th cells (diluting CFSE) by flow cytometry. Allergen-specific IgE concentration was determined by fluorescent enzymoimmunoassay (FEIA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The quantities of proliferating Th cells but not proliferating B cells specific for cat, Timothy and birch were significantly higher in cat-, Timothy- and birch-allergic individuals compared to nonallergic individuals. The titer of allergen-specific IgE showed significant correlation with allergen-specific Th cells and not with allergen-specific B cells for all 3 allergens.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A high number of allergen-specific proliferating Th cells, but not proliferating B cells, may play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma/rhinitis/eczema.</p>