Expression of membrane-bound CD23 in nasal mucosal B cells from patients with perennial allergic rhinitis

Background: CD23 is the low-affinity receptor for IgE on B cells and is thought to play an important role in regulation of IgE production. Objective: To measure the expression of membrane-bound CD23 in nasal B cells and examine its correlation with CD4 subtypes or serum IgE levels in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Method: We used flow cytometric analysis with double, direct immunofluorescence staining of the mucosal-infiltrating lymphocytes to examine the expression of CD23 in nasal mucosal B cells of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. The expression of CD23 in nasal B cells of patients with nonatopic rhinosinusitis served as a control. Result: The ratio of CD23(+) B cells to total B cells in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis was significantly higher than in nonatopic controls, whereas that of B cells to total lymphocytes was unchanged. The ratio of CCR4(+) CD4 cells to total CD4 cells in allergic patients was significantly higher than in nonatopic controls, whereas the ratio of CXCR3(+) CD4 cells to total CD4 cells was unchanged. There was no significant correlation between the percentages of CD23(+) B cells and CCR4(+) CD4 cells. In addition, the percentage of CD23(+) B cells did not correlate with the total IgE level or with the specific IgE level. Conclusions: Our results indicate that nasal mucosal CD23-bearing B cells, as well as T(H)2 cells, increase in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. However, the expression of CD23 did not directly correlate with the number of T(H)2 cells in the nasal mucosa.