[CD4+ T cell activation and IL-5 production in atopic and nonatopic asthmatics]

To understand the reasons and roles of CD4+ T cell activation and IL-5 production in atopic and asthmatic patients.

Bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 12 atopic and 10 nonatopic asthmatics, 9 atopic nonasthmatics, and 10 normal controls were cultured with or without house dust mite(HDM), CD4+ T cell activation, and IL-5 production were assessed.

The percentage of CD4+, CD25+ in unstimulated PBMC cultures were not significantly different in the four groups, but it increased following HDM stimulation in both PBMC and BAL cultures in two atopic groups(P < 0.01). The percentage of CD4+, CD25+ in unstimulated BAL cell culture increased in two asthmatic groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The levels of spontaneous IL-5 released from both BALF cells and PBMC in two asthmatic groups were higher than those in AN and N (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). A significant elevation in IL-5 release following HDM stimulation in PBMC and BALF cells was observed in the both asthmatic and atopic groups; but the value in AA was higher than that in NAA, and it was also higher in BALF cells than in PBMC.

The allergen stimulation is important reasons for CD4+ T cell activation and IL-5 production in atopics. CD4+ T cell activation and IL-5 production are common feature in atopic and nonatopic asthma, it correlates with both asthmatic and atopic status.