Infiltration pattern of gammadelta T cells and its association with local inflammatory response in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Background gammadelta (γδ) T cells play important roles in allergic lower airway inflammation. However, little is known about their infiltration pattern in the nasal mucosa during upper airway inflammation. This study investigated γδ T cell distribution in nasal tissues of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients and the relationship between γδ T cells and other inflammatory cell types. Methods A total of 30 patients with septal deviation were examined, including 22 with and 8 without AR. The localization of γδ T cells and other cells (eosinophils, neutrophils, mast cells, macrophages, B cells, cluster of differentiation [CD]4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, regulatory T cells [Tregs], interferon [IFN]‐γ+ cells, interleukin [IL]17+ cells, and IL10+ cells) was evaluated by histological analysis and immunohistochemistry. T helper cell (Th)1/Th2/Th17 and Treg gene expression was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results γδ T cells were localized in the epithelium or subepithelial region of nasal mucosa, and their infiltration was higher in AR patients relative to control subjects. The number of γδ T cells was associated with the presence of eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells, B cells, CD8+ T cells, Forkhead box (Fox)p3+ Tregs, IL17+ cells, and IL10+ cells but not of neutrophils or IFN‐γ+ cells. The messenger RNA (mRNA) level of a γδ T cell subunit was positively correlated with those of Th1 genes (T‐bet and IFN‐γ), Th2 cytokine (C‐C motif chemokine ligand 18), and Treg genes (Foxp3 and IL10). Conclusion γδ T cells play multiple roles in mucosal inflammation in AR including immune surveillance and adaptive and innate immune responses.

Expression of CD27 and CD28 on γδ T cells from the peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis

“…Studies have proven that γδ T cells predominantly occur in the epithelium and mucosa and have an indispensable role in orchestrating the immune response of allergic diseases (17)(18)(19)(20). In the present study, a significant elevation in the percentage of γδ T cells in PBMCs from patients with AR was observed when compared with the control subjects, which is largely consistent with previous studies (21,22), confirming the important role of γδ T cells in the pathogenesis of AR.…”

“…It has been reported that the number and function of Tregs are significantly decreased in the peripheral blood during allergic airway inflammation (35). Furthermore, γδ T cells and Tregs may exert a synergistic regulatory effect in the pathogenesis of AR (22,36). Since the specific transcription factor Foxp3 has a key role in the development and functional maintenance of Tregs (37), and is stably and constitutively expressed at a high level in CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells, Foxp3 + CD3 + cells in PBMCs were identified as Tregs in numerous studies (38,39).…”

Nasal specific IgE to Der p is not an acceptable screening test to predict the outcome of the nasal challenge test in patients with non-allergic rhinitis

“…Although the pathogenesis of LAR and non-allergic rhinitis is not completely understood, 31 , 32 , 33 these types of rhinitis usually start in the fourth decade of life; in non-allergic rhinitis, there are several mechanisms associated with an effect only on the nasal mucosa. Some results in vivo suggest that serum and nasal concentrations of IL-10 and nasal TGF-β concentrations are higher in LAR, suggesting a greater immunomodulatory property than in patients with allergic rhinitis.…”

“…Some results in vivo suggest that serum and nasal concentrations of IL-10 and nasal TGF-β concentrations are higher in LAR, suggesting a greater immunomodulatory property than in patients with allergic rhinitis. 32 Because the RWoA group was made up of patients with LAR and patients with non-allergic rhinitis, this could explain the older age of patients in the RWoA group and the lower frequency of some comorbidities, such as asthma or dermatitis. 34 , 35 , 36 …”

Evolving management of upper airway diseases: focus on Asia

“…Li and Li showed that autophagosome and autophagic marker Beclin‐1 was highly expressed in AR and associated with nasal airway remodeling. Yang et al . showed that γδT cells were more abundant in the nasal mucosa of AR patients and may regulate innate and adaptive immune responses and their interaction.…”