NASAL MEMORY LYMPHOCYTES-T CAPABLE OF PRODUCING IL-4 IN THE ALLERGIC REACTION

This paper reports the presence of memory T cells in the nasal mucosa of allergic patients. The demonstration of CD4+/CD29+ (CD4+/CD45RO+) T lymphocytes, which are capable of interleukin-4 production, can indicate a complementary cell-mediated regulatory mechanism for mast cell proliferation and IgE synthesis in human nasal allergy. No substantial IgE production can be obtained in the absence of IL-4. Therefore, the existence of IL-4 producing cells on site in the nasal mucosa of allergic subjects probably implies a complementary interaction between cytokines and different immunocompetent nasal cells in the regulation of B cells and IgE synthesis.