Cells and cytokines in pollinosis

Pollinosis is a spontaneous model of allergic disease self limited in time. In order to evaluate immune response during pollen exposition cellular populations CD2, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD22, CD23, CD28, CD29, CD45RA, CD45RO have been studied before, during and after pollen season by flux cytometry. Simultaneous assays of soluble CD23 and cytokines IL-2, IL-4 and IL-2 soluble receptor have been done by an ELISA method. A decrease of CD23 PBC was observed during pollen season maintained afterwards without significant changes in sol CD23. The level of CD45RO memory cells decreased during pollen season with an opposed pattern for CD45RA naive cells. PBC expressing integrin chain CD29 were also decreased during the peak of pollen season. These results show that allergen exposition triggers a turnover of CD45 PBC, a decrease of low affinity IgE receptor CD23 in PBC and a consumption or binding of cells presenting the CD29 integrin chain. Cellular mechanisms are deeply implied in the immune response to pollens and cellular changes can be used as allergic inflammation markers in pollinosis.