[Immunohistochemical study on subpopulations of B cells in the nasal mucosa]

The subpopulations of B-lymphocytes in the inferior turbinates of 12 patients with allergic rhinitis and 3 patients with nonallergic nasal disease were studied by immunohistochemical procedures. The specimens were frozen at -70 degrees C and sliced at 4 microns with a cryostat. The LSAB method with monoclonal antibodies (CD4, CD8, CD20, CD40) was used to detect subpopulations of T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. In every subject the number of CD4 (+) cells dominated over that of CD8 (+) cells in the lamina propria. CD20 (+) cells were seen mainly in the border between the subepithelial layer and the nasal gland layer. CD40 (+) cells were found among the epithelial cells, the gland cells and the round mononuclear cells. In the serial sections CD20 (+) CD40 (+) cells were found in the inferior turbinates. We did not observe any difference in the distribution of CD20 (+) cells and expression of CD40 between allergic patients and nonallergic patients. Further study seems to be necessary to elucidate the relationship between CD20 (+) CD40 (+) cells and T-lymphocytes and some cytokines.