Phenotypes of peripheral blood leukocytes in Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome

Peripheral blood leukocytes from 5 patients with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) were characterized with an immunoenzymatic staining technique utilizing ten different mouse monoclonal antibodies to cell surface antigens. No gross abnormalities could be found in the various T and B cell subpopulations. However, the proportion of cells expressing the IL-2 receptor was slightly increased, indicating the occurrence of activated lymphocytes in the circulation. Furthermore, in all 5 patients a large proportion of a non-phagocytic, Leu-M1-expressing, granulocyte-like cells of low density was found, probably reflecting the presence of activated granulocytes in the blood in MRS patients. The findings suggest that activation of both the lymphocyte and the granulocyte systems may be of importance in the pathogenesis of MRS.