Influence of sublingual immunotherapy on the expression of Mac-1 integrin in neutrophils from asthmatic children

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2013:756:73-80. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-4549-0_10.

Abstract

Asthma can be effectively treated with sublingual immunotherapy. The influence of -sublingual immunotherapy on the function of granulocytes in asthmatic patients is largely unknown. Mac-1 integrin is a transmembrane protein containing α (CD11b) and β (CD18) chains. High expression of the complex is found on the surface of neutrophils, NK cells, and macrophages. CD11b/CD18 may bind to CD23, ICAM-1, ICAM-2, and ICAM-4. It plays a crucial role in diapedesis of neutrophils. The aim of the present study was to assess Mac-1 expression on neutrophils from asthmatic children before and after sublingual immunotherapy. Twenty five children aged of 8.1 ± 3.1 suffering from atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis, shortlisted for specific immunotherapy, served as the study group. Fifteen healthy individuals, aged 9.8 ± 3.4, served as a control group. The assessment of CD11b and CD18 expression on cells from peripheral blood was performed with a flow cytometer. The tests were performed before and after 12 months of sublingual immunotherapy. In the asthmatic children, 98.08 (90.79-99.12)% of Mac-1 positive neutrophils were detected. The group was divided into two subgroups: of more than 98% and less than 95% of neutrophils with CD11b/CD18 expression in the sample. After immunotherapy, the percentage of Mac-1 positive granulocytes increased to 99.60 (99.29-99.68)%, p = 0.01. In the control group, 90.56 (87.08-88.86)% granulocytes were Mac-1 positive, p = 0.002. We conclude that sublingual immunotherapy strongly influences the function of the immunological system, including Mac-1 expression on neutrophils.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Sublingual
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • CD11b Antigen / metabolism
  • CD18 Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Child
  • Desensitization, Immunologic*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Macrophage-1 Antigen / biosynthesis
  • Macrophage-1 Antigen / immunology
  • Macrophage-1 Antigen / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Neutrophils / immunology*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Receptors, IgE / metabolism
  • Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CD11b Antigen
  • CD18 Antigens
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • ICAM2 protein, human
  • ICAM4 protein, human
  • Macrophage-1 Antigen
  • Receptors, IgE
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1