| Abstract: | L-selectin is one of the adhesion molecules, which is known as a leukocyte homing receptor. L-selectin contributes labile rolling adhesion of leukocytes on the blood vessel wall. To elucidate characteristics of L-selectin expression on peripheral CD4+ lymphocytes in atopic diseases, flow cytometric analysis was performed. Subjects were 7 patients with atopic asthma (BA), 10 with atopic dermatitis (AD), 9 with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 10 normal adults (control). Peripheral lymphocytes in all subjects were three-color-analyzed using monoclonal antibodies. As a result, compared with the control group. BA and AD showed significantly higher proportions of L-selectin-positive memory CD4+ T cells (BA 64.0%; AD 62.0%; AR 50.9%; Control 38.0%), and significantly lower proportions of L-selectin-negative memory CD4+ T cells (BA 18.3%; AD 11.6%; AR 21.1%; Control 29.2%), respectively (reported percentages represent average values for each subject group). As previously reported. L-selectin-positive memory CD4+ T cells produce mainly Th2-type cytokines (Kanegane et al., 1996); Given these results, the present study suggests that increased Th2-like cells express L-selectin for extravasation in the process of local infiltration in atopic diseases. |
