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Characterization of Blood T Cell Populations in Allergic Rhinitis

Elangovan, Gayathiri (2018) MOBT01 20162
Degree Projects in Molecular Biology
Popular Abstract
Background: Inflammation is an immune-mediated response by mammalian species to protect the host from infectious and non-infectious insults. An allergic airway inflammation, which is an inflammatory response to otherwise harmless allergens, underlies common diseases like asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). It is estimated that 10-20 % of the world population is affected by airway inflammatory diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. Considering allergic rhinitis, this is a characteristic disorder of the nasal passage resulting in inflammation of the nasal lining due to a largely IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction. An estimated 400 million people in the westernised countries are affected by allergic rhinitis. Common... (More)
Background: Inflammation is an immune-mediated response by mammalian species to protect the host from infectious and non-infectious insults. An allergic airway inflammation, which is an inflammatory response to otherwise harmless allergens, underlies common diseases like asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). It is estimated that 10-20 % of the world population is affected by airway inflammatory diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. Considering allergic rhinitis, this is a characteristic disorder of the nasal passage resulting in inflammation of the nasal lining due to a largely IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction. An estimated 400 million people in the westernised countries are affected by allergic rhinitis. Common allergens include pollen, dust mite, and animal dander.
Aims: The aim of the present study was to use a microscopy-based approach to explore alterations of circulating blood immune cells in allergic rhinitis patients subjected to natural pollen exposure. The focus is on subsets of so-called T-helper cells, T-lymphocytes that orchestrate the immune response by secretion of subset-specific cytokines.
Methodology: Clinical parameters and blood samples were collected from16 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Samples were collected during the natural pollen season (in the spring) and during the off-pollen season (late autumn). White blood cells (i.e. immune cells / leukocytes) were purified from blood samples and embedded into paraffin histology blocks. Thin microscopy sections were generated from the blocks and subjected to double and triple immunohistochemical staining in order to visualize cell-specific markers. The stained sections were viewed in a microscope and high-resolution digital images were generated for computerized image analysis and quantification of stained immune cell populations.
Results: A first round of methodological experiments were performed to generate acceptable triple staining protocols for visualization of key T-helper lymphocyte populations; so called Th1 cells (defined by their markers CD4 and Tbet), Th2 cells (CD4 and GATA3) and Th17 cells (CD4 and RORγt ). Interestingly, while cell types typically associated with an allergic inflammation, such as Th2 cells and eosinophil granulocytes did not change during the pollen season, elevated staining levels of markers for Th17 cells, monocytes, and neutrophil granulocytes were observed compared to off-season values. Basophil granulocytes were, however, increased during the allergen season.
Conclusions: In summary, this study reports a significant increase of staining for Th 17 cells in peripheral blood obtained from patients with allergic rhinitis during active natural pollen exposure. Unexpectedly, the more allergen-associated Th2 cell population did not increase. The present study suggests that Th17 cells may play an important role in pathogenesis of active seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, more studies and alternative confirmatory methodology are needed to finally determine the balance of T helper populations in this disease.


Master´s Degree Project in Molecular Biology, 60 credits

Supervisor: Prof. Jonas Erjefält Department of Airway Inflammation, Medical Faculty Lund University (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Elangovan, Gayathiri
supervisor
organization
course
MOBT01 20162
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
language
English
id
8931712
date added to LUP
2018-01-09 16:09:55
date last changed
2018-01-09 16:09:55
@misc{8931712,
  author       = {{Elangovan, Gayathiri}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Characterization of Blood T Cell Populations in Allergic Rhinitis}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}