CD21-CD23 ligand pair expression in children with allergic asthma

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Abstract
SUMMARY: The CD23 antigen, a low affinity receptor for IgE, was recently shown to interact with another ligand, CD21, and the pairing of these molecules is important in T cell-B cell interaction and control of IgE production. Here, we analysed the expression of CD21 and CD23 on CD4+ and CD20+ lymphocytes in 25 allergic children and 12 age-matched non-allergic controls. Both the percentage (P<0.01) and the absolute number (P<0.00l) of CD23+ cells were increased in allergic children. There was no difference of CD21+ cells. Double positive CD4+CD23+ cells (2.5%) were only detected in one patient, in others all CD23 being expressed on B cells. The CD21 antigen was expressed only on B cells. Furthermore, allergic children had an increased mean fluorescence intensity of both the CD21 (P<0.00l) and the CD23 (P<0.001) receptor. To analyse the possible difference in B cell subsets expressing CD21 and CD23 antigens, three-colour fluorescence analysis was performed. In allergic children the subset of CD20+CD21− cells expressed more CD23 than in controls (P<0.001). These results may mean an impaired expression and possibly regulation of CD21-CD23 interaction in allergic conditions.