Increase of T cells bearing Fc epsilon R-associated antigen in patients with atopic asthma.

Subpopulations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with atopic asthma and control donors were analyzed by means of flow cytometry. T cells were isolated from PBMC by rosetting with sheep erythrocytes. The proportions of PBMC and T cells bearing receptors for Fc fragment of IgE (Fc epsilon R) were elevated in patients when determined with monoclonal antibody to Fc epsilon R-associated antigen (H107). Significant correlations were observed between the serum-IgE levels and proportions of Fc epsilon R+ T cells (r = .71, P greater than .002). In contrast, no differences were observed between the groups in the proportions of PBMC and T cells bearing receptors for Fc fragment of IgG (Fc8R) when measured with model IgG-immunocomplexes. The proportions of cells reacting with monoclonal anti-IgE (9G2), T11 (E receptor), Leu-2a (suppressor), Leu-3a (helper), Leu-4 (pan-T), Leu-12 (pan-B), and anti-polyvalent immunoglobulin did not differ significantly between the groups. The results indicate that Fc epsilon R+ T cells are increased in patients with atopic asthma, suggesting that these cells may be involved in the regulation and/or synthesis of IgE antibody formation in man.