Activated T-lymphocytes and eosinophils in the bronchial mucosa in isocyanate-induced asthma.

Abstract

We have studied the phenotype and activation status of leukocytes in the bronchial mucosa in patients with isocyanate-induced asthma. Fiberoptic bronchial biopsy specimens were obtained from nine subjects with occupational (five toluene- and four methylene diisocyanate-sensitive) asthma, 10 subjects with extrinsic asthma, and 12 nonatopic healthy control subjects. Bronchial biopsy specimens were examined by immunohistology with a panel of monoclonal antibodies and the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase method. There was a significant increase in the number of CD25+ cells (interleukin-2 receptor-bearing cells, presumed "activated" T-lymphocytes; p less than 0.01) in isocyanate-induced asthma compared with that of control subjects. There were also significant increases in major basic protein (BMK-13)-positive (p less than 0.02) and EG2-positive (p less than 0.01) cells that represent total and "activated" eosinophil cationic protein-secreting eosinophils, respectively. In agreement with our previous findings, CD25+ (p less than 0.01), BMK-13 (p less than 0.03), and EG2+ (p less than 0.01) cells were also elevated in extrinsic asthma. No significant differences were observed in the numbers of T-lymphocyte phenotypic markers (CD3, CD4, and CD8) between subjects with asthma (isocyanate-induced and extrinsic) and control subjects. Similarly, no significant differences in immunostaining for neutrophil elastase (neutrophils) or CD68 (macrophages) were observed. The results suggest that isocyanate-induced occupational asthma and atopic (extrinsic) asthma have a similar pattern of inflammatory cell infiltrate. The results support the view that T-lymphocyte activation and eosinophil recruitment may be important in asthma of diverse etiology.

• Authors: A M Bentley, P Maestrelli, M Saetta, L M Fabbri, D S Robinson, B L Bradley, P K Jeffery, S R Durham, A B Kay
• Journal: The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology (J Allergy Clin Immunol) Vol. 89 Issue 4 Pg. 821-9 (Apr 1992) ISSN: 0091-6749 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1532807 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• Cyanates
• Histocompatibility Antigens
• Receptors, Interleukin-2
• Leukocyte Common Antigens

Topics

• Adult
• Antigens, CD (analysis)
• Asthma (chemically induced, etiology)
• Biopsy
• Bronchi (pathology)
• Cyanates (adverse effects)
• Drug Hypersensitivity (etiology)
• Eosinophils (cytology)
• Female
• Histocompatibility Antigens (analysis)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Leukocyte Common Antigens
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mucous Membrane (blood supply, pathology)
• Occupational Diseases (complications)
• Receptors, Interleukin-2 (analysis)
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)