[Immunohistological study of the nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis with reference to B cell, T cell subpopulation, activated T cell and Langerhans cell].

Distribution of B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes subpopulations, activated T lymphocytes and Langerhans cells of the nasal mucosa in 28 patients with nasal allergy ranging in age from 19 years to 54 years was studied. The specimens from inferior turbinates were frozen at -70 degrees C and sliced at a thickness of 4 microns by cryostat. Monoclonal antibodies and peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining (Ortho) were used to detect these cells. OKT4, OKT8, OKT6 and OKB19 were used as markers of helper/inducer T cells, suppresser/cytotoxic T cells, Langerhans cells and B cells, respectively. OKDR was used as a marker of activated T cells, B cells, Langerhans cells and macrophages. Many OKT4 and OKT8 positive cells were observed in lamina propria. In every case, more OKT4 positive cells were detected in number than OKT8 positive cells. Some OKB19 positive cells and macrophages were observed in lamina propria, but OKT6 positive cells were not observed. OKDR positive cells were observed in high density, and more OKDR positive cells were detected than OKT4, OKT8 and OKB19 positive cells. Most of the OKDR positive cells were small in size and round in shape. From these results, many T lymphocytes were thought to be activated, and T lymphocytes were thought to play an important role in nasal allergy.