ABSTRACT
The pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is not completely understood although autoimmunity has been proposed. The aim of the study was to assess the expression of different leukocyte antigens, by flow cytometry, assaying total blood of 29 patients with CIU and of 20 sex and age matched controls. Moreover, we assessed soluble CD154 a marker of immune cell activation, predominantly memory T cells. When patients were divided depending an their response to the autologous serum skin test (ASST), three different groups were encountered: group 1 (n=11): with negative ASST-, group 2 (n=11): positive ASST (ASST+) with normal lymphocyte counts and group 3 (n=7): ASST+ with low lymphocyte counts (< 1500 cells/mm3). A significant increase in CD19+ percentage and not in the absolute count (P < 0.05) was observed in group 1 as compared to controls and to the other groups. In contrast, CD30+, CD45RO+ and CD4+/CD45RO+ percentages and biologically active soluble CD154 levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group 3 as compared to group 1 or to controls. In ASST positive groups, CD45RO+ and CD4+/CD45RO+ positiveness correlates with wheal diameter. In conclusion, memory cells may play a role in these different types of patients and in understanding CIU pathogenesis.
Subject(s)
Immunologic Memory , Urticaria/immunology , Adult , Antigens, CD/immunology , Chronic Disease , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Female , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Immunophenotyping , Leukocyte Count , Lymphocyte Count , Male , Middle Aged , Skin Tests , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Urticaria/blood , Urticaria/diagnosis , Urticaria/etiologyABSTRACT
La patogénesis de la urticaria crónica idiopática (CIU) no se conoce completamente; sin embargo, la autoinmunidad juega un papel importante en un subgrupo de pacientes. El objetivo de este estudio fue la determinación de antígenos leucocitarios en sangre total, utilizando citometría de flujo, de 29 pacientes con CIU y 20 controles de similar edad y sexo. Adicionalmente, se determinó el CD154 soluble como marcador de activación de células inmunes, predominantemente linfocitos T de memoria. Se describieron 3 grupos de pacientes de acuerdo al resultado de la prueba de suero antólogo (ASST): grupo 1: negativo (n = 11), grupo 2: prueba positiva y contaje linfocitario normal (n = 11) y grupo 3 prueba positiva y contaje linfocitario bajo (< 1500 células/mm3) (n = 7). En el grupo 1, se observó un aumento significativo (P < 0,05) en el porcentaje de células CD19+ aunque no en su número absoluto cuando se comparó con los controles y los pacientes con ASST +. En contrapartida, el porcentaje de células positivas para CD30, CD45RO y CD4/CD45RO y los niveles de CD154 soluble biológicamente activo fueron significativamente mayores (P < 0,05) en el grupo 3, en comparación con los controles y el grupo 1. Además, en los grupos con ASST positiva, los porcentajes de células CD45RO+ y CD4/CD45RO+ se correlacionan con el tamaño del habón a la ASST. En conclusión, las células de memoria pudieran jugar un papel importante en la patogénesis de la CIU.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Immunophenotyping , Memory , Urticaria , Medicine , VenezuelaABSTRACT
Distinct eosinophil populations have been characterized on the basis of discontinuous Percoll density gradients. In peripheral blood, normal individuals show a low number of normodense and hypodense eosinophils, contrasting with the high amount of hypodense cells in patients who have allergies. To characterize these two eosinophil populations, we analyzed membrane expression of several antigens and cytokine receptors in normodense and hypodense eosinophils from patients who have allergies and controls. Hypodense eosinophils expressed higher levels of CD122, CD69, and CD4 in both patients with allergies and control individuals when compared to normodense eosinophils. The expression of CD125, CD124, CD25, CD132, and CD23 were similar in both cell types.