鼻咽癌患者外周血CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞分析

目的:探讨鼻咽癌患者外周血CD4 CD25h igh调节性T(Tr)细胞比例变化的特点及其临床意义。方法:采用流式细胞术检测54例初治鼻咽癌患者(鼻咽癌组)和15例健康者(对照组)外周血中CD3 、CD4 、CD8 及CD4 CD25h ighT细胞比例。结果:鼻咽癌患者CD4 T细胞比例、CD4 /CD8 比值均低于对照组(均P<0.05),但CD4 CD25h ighTr细胞比例明显高于对照组(P<0.01)。随疾病进展鼻咽癌患者外周血CD4 CD25h ighTr细胞比例升高[Ⅰ Ⅱ期为(2.28±1.07)%,Ⅲ期为(3.65±1.21)%,Ⅳ期为(4.72±0.87)%],Ⅰ Ⅱ期与Ⅲ、Ⅳ期比较,均P<0.01;Ⅲ期与Ⅳ期比较,P<0.01。结论:CD4 CD25h ighTr细胞可能是鼻咽癌患者免疫抑制的重要原因之一,与鼻咽癌免疫逃逸有关。外周血CD4 CD25h ighTr细胞比例可能成为鼻咽癌一种新的预后判断指标,去除这群细胞可有效诱导肿瘤免疫,为肿瘤治疗提供一种新的方法。     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在变应性鼻炎患者外周血淋巴细胞中的含量研究

目的:研究CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(CD4+CD25+Treg)在变应性鼻炎外周血淋巴细胞中的比例,并探讨其临床意义.方法:采用流式细胞术分别检测20例季节性变应性鼻炎患者发作期外周血CD4+CD25+Treg在淋巴细胞中的比例,并与8例健康对照者进行比较.结果:变应性鼻炎患者外周血CD4+CD25+Treg和CD4+CD25highTreg所占比例与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05).结论:变应性鼻炎患者外周血CD4+CD25+Treg在外周血中的比例明显减少,可能与该病的发病机制有关.     

变应性鼻炎患者外周血嗜酸粒细胞-骨髓干细胞通路指标检测在激素治疗评价中的意义

目的 检测健康人及变应性鼻炎(AR)患者治疗前后外周血嗜酸粒细胞(eosinophils,EOS)-骨髓干细胞通路相关指标CD34+、白细胞介素5(IL-5)、EOS,探讨外周血-骨髓通路在变应性鼻炎发病机制中的作用以及糖皮质激素对此通路的影响.方法 实验分2组:①试验组:常年性持续性变应性鼻炎患者44例,男24例,女20例,年龄7～68岁;给予糖皮质激素治疗4周;②健康对照组:健康体检者30例.分别检测试验组治疗前后和对照组外周血EOS计数,血清IL-5水平及CD34+细胞数,并分析各指标间的相关性.结果 试验组治疗前血清IL-5含量、CD34+数分别为(88.25±33.47)ng/L、(9.24±2.15)个/105,显著高于治疗后[(44.34±16.32)ng/L、(6.31±1.83)个/103]及健康对照组[(31.24±8.43)ng/L、(3.47±1.32)个/105].试验组治疗前后血清IL-5水平与其CD34+数呈显著正相关(r值分别为0.64、0.61,P值均＜0.01).患者血清IL-5水平与其EOS数呈显著正相关(r=0.64,P＜0.01).结论 外周血EOS、IL-5及CD34+细胞参与AR发病过程,提示AR患者病变局部组织和骨髓造血之间有相关通路存在.通过检测外周血IL-5及CD34+可评价治疗效果.     

变应性鼻炎免疫治疗前后外周血不同T细胞亚群基因表达的研究

目的探讨变应性鼻炎（AR）屋尘螨特异性免疫治疗前后外周血调节性T细胞（T regulatory cells,Treg）Foxp3基因和γδT细胞抗原识别受体（T cell receptor,TCR）Vγ亚家族基因表达的变化情况。方法选择22例屋尘螨皮下注射免疫治疗1年有效的AR患者,采用RT-PCR检测治疗前后外周血Foxp3与TCR VγⅠ～Ⅲ基因表达水平。10例健康志愿者为对照。结果 22例AR患者免疫治疗前Foxp3、TCR VγⅠ～Ⅲ水平明显低于对照组（Z=-2.155,Z=-2.114,t=4.101、t=3.108,P均〈0.05）,治疗后Foxp3、VγⅢ明显升高（t=-4.577,Z=-3.416,P均〈0.05）;治疗前Foxp3与VγⅠ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ呈正相关,治疗后Foxp3与VγⅢ呈正相关。结论免疫治疗1年有效的AR患者中,治疗前后外周血Treg细胞和γδT细胞亚群之间存在动态平衡关系,患者免疫治疗早期症状的改善可能与T细胞的免疫重塑相关。     

Difference between CD25+Tregs and Helios+Tregs in a murine model of allergic rhinitis

IntroductionRegulatory T or Treg cells, balance the peripheral immune response to allergens in allergic rhinitis. Traditionally, Treg (CD25⁺ Treg) is identified by the coexpression of Foxp3 and CD25, but this strategy does not represent the true inhibitory function of Treg cells. Helios has been thought of as novel marker of activated Tregs, with an important inhibitory function. Consequently, Helios was proposed as a marker of Treg. Recent articles have shown that Foxp3 and Helios co-expression (Helios⁺Tregs) is an important functional stage of Treg.ObjectiveTo compare the prevalence of CD25⁺Tregs and Helios⁺Tregs using a mouse model of allergic rhinitis.MethodsTwenty mice were randomized into two groups. The test group comprised 10 allergic rhinitis model mice exposed to ovalbumin; the control group was exposed to saline. The fractions of CD25⁺Tregs, Helios⁺Tregs, Helios⁺CD25⁺, and Helios⁺Foxp3⁺CD25⁺Tregs present in the two groups were determined using flow cytometry.ResultsCD25⁺Tregs and Helios⁺Tregs were less abundant in the spleen and nasal mucosa cells of the allergic rhinitis model compared with the control. We also observed fewer Helios⁺Tregs than CD25⁺Tregs in nasal mucosa and splenic cells of both control and test groups. Moreover, we observed fewer Helios⁺Foxp3⁺, Helios⁺CD25⁺, and Helios⁺Foxp3⁺CD25⁺ Tregs in the nasal mucosa in the allergic rhinitis model. Helios was expressed the most in CD4⁺ CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T-cells, followed by CD4⁺ CD25⁻Foxp3⁻ T-cells. Approximately 75% of CD25⁺Tregs were Helios⁺ in spleens of allergic rhinitis and control mice.ConclusionThis is the first report of the proportions of Helios⁺Tregs in nasal mucosa and spleens of allergic rhinitis mice. Gating true inhibitory Tregs with the coexpression of Foxp3 and Helios might be more useful than relying on the expression of CD25. This study provides a new insight for Treg studies of allergic rhinitis, and the potential utility of the marker as a therapeutic target.     

CD4+C25+Treg细胞与喉鳞状细胞癌的相关性研究

［摘要］目的：研究CD4+CD25+Treg细胞与喉鳞状细胞癌的相关关系。方法：收集2005年7月至2005年12月山东大学齐鲁医院耳鼻咽喉科手术治疗的30例喉鳞状细胞癌患者和同期13例健康献血者的外周血，应用流式细胞仪检测外周血中CD4+CD25+Treg细胞的百分比，用ELISA法检测外周血中TGF β，IL 10，IFN γ的含量。结果：喉鳞状细胞癌患者与正常对照组外周血中CD4+CD25+Treg细胞的百分比分别为（8.72±1.54）%和（4.64±0.93）%，喉鳞状细胞癌组高于正常对照组(P＜0.05)，但与性别、年龄、临床分期、淋巴结转移无关。喉鳞状细胞癌患者外周血中TGF β，IL 10含量分别为(10.96±1.19)?pg/ml和(15.87±2.17)?pg/ml，高于正常对照组的(6.77±0.72)?pg/ml,(1.8±2.5)?pg/ml (P＜0.05)；但IFN γ的含量为(16.67±8.39)?pg/ml，低于正常对照组的(21.98±9.64)?pg/ml(P＜0.05)。结论：CD4+CD25+Treg细胞在喉癌患者外周血中大量增加,下调T细胞介导的肿瘤免疫。     

常年性持续性变应性鼻炎患者外周血单个核细胞CD45RA及CD45RO表达

目的 探讨常年性持续性变应性鼻炎(AR)患者外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuclear cells,PBMC)中CD45RA及CD45RO的表达及其与AR发病的关系.方法 应用荧光抗体标记、流式细胞仪检测30例AR患者PBMC中CD45RA及CD45RO的表达.结果 与对照组比较,①AR...     

CD4+ T cells induce productions of IL-5 and IL-13 through MHCII on ILC2s in a murine model of allergic rhinitis

ObjectiveCD4⁺ T cells play an important role not only in the induction of allergy but also in allergic inflammation. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) also mediate type 2 immune responses in allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the relationships between CD4⁺ T cells and ILC2s in allergic condition are currently not well defined. The study aimed to evaluate the potential influences of CD4⁺ T cells on ILC2s in the murine model of AR.MethodsA murine model of AR was established using ovalbumin (OVA), and OVA-induced ILC2s were sorted and purified from the mouse nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), and cultured in vitro. Then, the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) on ILC2s was examined. CD4⁺ T cells were separated from AR mice peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). After that, productions of IL-5 and IL-13 on ILC2s cultures were assessed when CD4⁺ T cells or plus anti-MHCII antibody or anti-CD4 antibody were administered into the cultures. Finally, we adoptively transferred ILC2s alone or ILC2s plus anti-MHCII antibody to the murine model of AR to investigate their roles in the nasal allergic inflammation.ResultsWe showed that ILC2s could be induced by OVA in the mouse NALT. The number and percentage of ILC2s in AR mice were increased. MHCII was expressed on ILC2s, and its protein and mRNA were all enhanced in allergic condition. IL-5 and IL-13 proteins and mRNAs were elevated after CD4⁺ T cells administration, and were reduced after these cells plus anti-MHCII antibody or anti-CD4 antibody application. Numbers of sneezing and nasal rubbing as well as counts of eosinophils in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) were all enhanced after the adoptive transfer of ILC2s when compared to AR mice. IL-5 and IL-13 in the NLF of allergic mice were also increased in comparison with AR group. However, above parameters were all decreased after the transfer of ILC2s plus anti-MHCII antibody versus AR mice or ILC2s-treated ones.ConclusionThese findings show that CD4⁺ T cells induce productions of IL-5 and IL-13 through MHCII on ILC2s in AR mice models.     

变应性鼻炎患者血清CD23和CD19表达及其与血清总IgE的关系

目的：探讨变应性鼻炎（AR）患者外周血淋巴细胞CD23、CD19表达及其与血清总IgE、鼻部过敏症状的关系。方法：对46例AR患者进行症状评分后,采用流式细胞术及免疫化学发光法检测其外周血淋巴细胞CD23、CD19表达率和血清总IgE水平,并以32例健康体检者为对照。结果：①AR患者外周血CD23^＋、CD19^＋及CD23^＋／CD19^＋淋巴细胞百分率（^-x±s）分别为11.6±1.9、22.8土3.3和10.2±1.7,分别高于对照组（P〈0.05）。②CD23^＋、CD19^＋、CD23^＋／CD19^＋表达百分率与血清总IgE水平、AR症状评分之间存在正相关。③三者之中以CD23^＋／CD19^＋表达百分率与血清总IgE水平、AR症状评分相关性最强（r值分别为0.65和0.49,P〈0.05）。④CD23^＋／CD19^＋与AR症状评分相关程度优于血清总IgE对应值（r=0.33,P〈0.05）。结论：外周血淋巴细胞CD23、CD19表达参与AR发病,并可能是血清总IgE水平的影响因素,检测CD23^＋／CD19^＋表达率有助于对AR病情的判断。     

补气固表制剂对小鼠CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg的增殖作用体外实验研究术

目的观察补气固表中药制剂对小鼠胸腺CD4^＋CD25^＋Tregs增殖活性的促进作用。方法取小鼠胸腺，分离种植细胞，体外培养，以不同浓度的补气固表中药制剂进行处理后，进行CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg抗体双标记，流式细胞仪检测Tregs增殖活性，比较不同组别的增值活性差异。结果检测结果显示，应用不同浓度补气固表中药制剂干预处理后，对CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg增值活性均有明显的促进作用（P〈0．01），尤以中浓度组的效应更为显著（P〈0．01）。结论体外实验证实，补气固表中药制剂对小鼠胸腺CD4^＋CD25^＋Tregs的增殖活性有刺激作用，为从调控Tregs增值活性角度治疗变态反应性疾病提供了实验依据。     

颗粒物PM10和CD4+T淋巴细胞IL-4 DNA甲基化在儿童变应性鼻炎发病机制中的研究

目的　探讨大气污染PM10对变应性鼻炎儿童CD4+T淋巴细胞IL-4基因启动子区域甲基化的表观遗传调控及相关转录水平表达的影响。方法　选择2012年上海儿童医学中心耳鼻咽喉科就诊的35例6～12岁变应性鼻炎患儿随访1年,收集血样及设立匹配对照组（30例）,进行IL-4基因启动子区域甲基化克隆测序及mRNA表达水平检测。评估PM2.5和PM10的个人综合暴露。结果　变应性鼻炎组CD4+T淋巴细胞中IL-4基因启动子区域平均甲基化程度低于对照组（P =0.038）;其中-48、+54甲基化程度有差异（P =0.041、0.032）;变应性鼻炎组IL-4转录水平升高（P =0.039）,与其平均DNA甲基化水平呈负相关（r =-0.452,P =0.032）。转录水平与对照组无显著性差异。校正后,变应性鼻炎儿童PM10暴露与其IL-4基因启动子区域甲基化程度呈负相关（r 2=0.419,β=-0.470,SD =0.781,P =0.045）。结论　变应性鼻炎儿童IL-4基因启动子区域低甲基化水平可能受到PM10影响。     

巨噬细胞和淋巴细胞及增殖细胞核抗原在鼻息肉组织中的表达及病理学意义

目的　研究巨噬细胞 (CD68)、T细胞 (CD45RO)、B细胞 (CD2 0 )和增殖核细胞核抗原(proliferatingcellnuclearantigen ,PCNA)在鼻息肉组织中的表达。方法　应用免疫组化链霉菌抗生物素蛋白过氧化酶 (strept avidinoxidase,SP)法对 50例鼻息肉分别做CD2 0、CD45RO、CD68、PCNA的免疫组化染色 ,结合常规HE染色切片进行分析。结果　①CD68+ 细胞在嗜酸性粒细胞性鼻息肉较嗜中性粒细胞性鼻息肉表达率高 ,差异具有显著性意义 (P <0 0 5) ;②CD45RO、CD2 0在鼻息肉均有阳性表达 ,CD45RO与CD2 0呈负相关 (P =0 0 5) ;③CD68阳性细胞与嗜酸性粒细胞浸润及鼻息肉上皮PCNA阳性表达有相关性 (P <0 0 5)。鼻息肉上皮的PCNA阳性表达和成纤维细胞PCNA阳性表达有相关性 ,(P <0 0 5)。结论　鼻息肉的形成与炎性细胞浸润密切相关。鼻黏膜局部的细胞免疫与体液免疫异常导致上皮细胞、成纤维细胞增殖、腺体增生是鼻息肉发生的基础 ,CD68+ 细胞可能是鼻息肉中的炎性干细胞     

鼻息肉组织中检测CD3和CD69的表达

目的　研究鼻息肉组织中T淋巴细胞表面标记CD3和早期活化标记CD69的表达,探讨人鼻息肉组织中T淋巴细胞的浸润和活化状况。方法　采用流式细胞术检测 21例鼻息肉患者鼻息肉组织、外周血中T淋巴细胞CD3、CD69的表达,并与健康人下鼻甲黏膜及外周血进行比较。结果鼻息肉组织中有大量T淋巴细胞浸润[ (39.65±2.08)% ];鼻息肉组织及患者外周血T淋巴细胞均表达CD69分子,其水平分别占T淋巴细胞总量的 (36.96±2.50)%和 (4.66±0.18)%,在用多克隆刺激剂短期(5h)刺激后,两者CD69的表达均增加[分别为(59.88±2.59)%、(92.76±0.55)% ];而在健康人下鼻甲黏膜中几乎未见T淋巴细胞,健康人外周血T淋巴细胞在刺激前CD69的表达较低[ (1.82±0.25)% ],但在刺激后几乎全部活化 [ (98.54±0 28)% ]。结论　鼻息肉组织中有大量T淋巴细胞浸润且高度表达CD69分子,提示鼻息肉组织中T淋巴细胞处于异常免疫活化状态。     

CD4+T细胞移植对裸鼠面神经损伤模型面运动神经元存活的影响

目的 探讨面神经损伤动物模型中CD4+ T细胞与损伤的面运动神经元(facial motoneuron,FMN)之间的关系,为揭示面神经损伤后修复及再生中的免疫病理机制提供实验证据.方法 磁珠分选法分离野生型BALB/c小鼠CD4+ T细胞,经尾静脉移植于相同遗传背景的裸小鼠,并以PBS为对照.1周后均制备成周围性面神经损伤模型,指定时间在面神经断端涂抹荧光金示踪剂.术后3 d灌注固定动物,收集脑于切片,荧光显微镜下观察.采用Image Pro Plus 5.1图像分析软件计数FMN,并比较不同组之间的差异.结果 术后3 d CD4+ T细胞移植组FMN计数为3444.5±84.2(-x±s,下同),对照组FMN计数为3013.2±65.3,差异具有统计学意义(t=5.52,P=0.0003);而CD4+ T细胞移植组与野生型小鼠神经元计数比较,差异无统计学意义(t=0.49,P=0.6347).结论 CD4+ T细胞可以保护裸鼠受损伤的FMN,使其数量达到野生型的水平.     

Impaired CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell activity in the peripheral blood of patients with autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss

CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells exert an immune regulatory function and thus play an important role in the control of self-reactivity in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammatory conditions. The aim of the study presented here is to perform a quantitative and functional analyses of these cells in patients with autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL). T cell subsets (CD4⁺CD25⁺, CD4⁺CD25^high, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺) from the peripheral blood of 17 patients with ASNHL, 16 patients with noise induced hearing loss (NHL), and 100 normal controls were analyzed by flow cytometry. The CD4/CD8 ratio was also analyzed. In addition, the suppressive capability of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells was tested in vitro by measuring their ability to suppress the proliferation and IFN-γ secretion of CD4⁺CD25⁻ T cells. No significant difference was found in the T cell subsets of ASNHL patients compared to normal controls or NHL patients, except that the proportion of CD4⁺ T cells was elevated in ASNHL patients. However, we did observe defective regulatory function of CD4⁺CD25⁺T cells in patients with ASNHL. Our data supported the idea that CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells played an immunosuppressive function in the periphery. The impaired suppressive activity of these cells may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of ASNHL.     

Therapeutic Efficacy of Th1 and Th2 L‐selectin− CD4+ Tumor‐Reactive T Cells

Objective To evaluate the cytokine secretion profile and therapeutic efficacy of Th1 CD4+ L‐selectin? tumor‐draining lymph node lymphocytes in the treatment of murine pulmonary metastases. Study Design Prospective, murine in vivo and in vitro study. Methods B6 mice were injected bilaterally subcutaneously with MCA 205 sarcoma cells to initiate tumor growth. Eleven days later, tumor‐draining inguinal lymph nodes were harvested. Single‐cell suspensions were prepared and fractionated using magnetically activated cell sorting. Sorted CD4+ L‐selectin? lymphocytes were activated with anti‐CD3 monoclonal antibody for 48 hours either alone to give a Th1 phenotype, or in the presence of interleukin (IL)‐4 and anti‐interferon‐γ (α‐IFN‐γ) monoclonal antibody to elicit a Th2 phenotype. Activated cells were then expanded for 3 days in IL‐2. Resulting cells were used to treat 3‐day pulmonary metastases. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and intracellular fluorescent‐activated cell‐sorter (FACS) scanning were used to evaluate the cytokine secretion profiles of these cells. Results Activated and expanded L‐selectin? CD4+ T cells demonstrated a Th1 cytokine profile and excellent antitumor efficacy. In contrast, L‐selectin? CD4+ lymphocytes activated in the presence of IL‐4 and α‐IFN‐γ monoclonal antibody demonstrated a Th2‐like profile and significantly (P < .05) poorer antitumor efficacy. Conclusions The cytokine environment during the activation of tumor‐draining lymph nodes can influence the therapeutic efficacy of activated L‐selectin?, CD4+ T cells. Cell mediated, Th1‐dependent immunity appears to play an important role in mediating tumor regression. Culture conditions promoting Th2 cells resulted in T cells associated with diminished antitumor efficacy.     

CD133与喉癌肿瘤干细胞的实验研究

目的探讨CD133在人喉癌细胞系Hep-2中的表达，观察纯化的CD133阳性肿瘤细胞、CD133阴性肿瘤细胞及未分选Hep-2细胞在重症联合免疫缺陷小鼠中的成瘤性，筛选Hep-2细胞系肿瘤干细胞的表型。方法流式细胞仪检测CD133在Hep-2细胞系中的表达，免疫磁珠分选技术纯化CD133阳性肿瘤细胞，分选所得各细胞亚群细胞以及未分选细胞以一定的数量级注人重症联合免疫缺陷小鼠腹部皮下，比较其成瘤差异性。分选后的细胞进行了细胞周期的分析和HE染色观察生长形态，以排除成瘤差异由细胞周期分布不同及异源细胞引起。结果流式细胞仪示CD133在Hep-2细胞系中呈微量恒定表达，表达概率（3．15±0．83）％。免疫磁珠富集的CD133阳性肿瘤细胞并不处于细胞周期生长旺盛时相或优势分裂时相，而是与分选前周期分布相似且均匀的一类细胞；HE染色示细胞形态亦符合恶性肿瘤细胞的病理生长特性。体外成瘤试验显示16／20个CD133阳性细胞注射部位、7／20个CD133阴性细胞注射部位、10／20个未分选细胞注射部位可见肿瘤生长，统计学分析表明CD133阳性肿瘤细胞较CD133阴性细胞（χ^2=8．286，P=0．004）、未分选细胞（X2=3．956，P=0．047）在重症联合免疫缺陷小鼠体内具有很强的成瘤性。结论喉癌Hep-2细胞系中，CD133阳性癌细胞具有强的体内增殖能力，CD133为喉癌肿瘤干细胞的标志之一。     

Nasal interleukin-5, immunoglobulin E, eosinophilic cationic protein, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and nasal polyposis

OBJECTIVE: To compare concentrations of interleukin-5 (IL-5), immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in nasal secretion and serum of patients with chronic nonallergic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and nonallergic nasal polyposis to obtain information about the pathogenesis of these diseases. METHODS: Nasal secretion and serum were analyzed by routine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Nineteen patients with chronic nonallergic sinusitis, 24 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, and 18 patients with nonallergic nasal polyposis were included in the study. Eight healthy, nonallergic probands served as control subjects. RESULTS: Significantly elevated concentrations of IL-5 (5-fold, P < .05) and IgE (15-fold, P < .01) were detected in nasal secretion of patients with allergic rhinitis (IL-5, 51.8 +/- 13.2 pg/mL; IgE, 41.9 +/- 20.9 kU/L) or nonallergic nasal polyposis (IL-5, 57.9 +/- 36.9 pg(mL; IgE, 40.5 +/- 20.2 kU/L) compared with controls (IL-5, 10.6 +/- 7.8 pg/mL; IgE, 2.8 +/- 0.5 kU/L) or with patients with chronic nonallergic sinusitis (IL-5, 16.5 +/- 13.2 pg/mL; IgE, 5.4 +/- 3.1 kU/L). There were no significant differences between patients with allergic rhinitis and those with nonallergic nasal polyposis. Concentrations of ECP were significantly elevated (sixfold, P < .01) in patients with allergic rhinitis (297.8 ng/mL +/- 173.1) compared with controls (52.4 +/- 28.0 ng/mL) or patients with chronic nonallergic sinusitis (44.8 +/- 40.1 ng/mL), whereas twofold higher concentrations (not significant) of ECP were observed in patients with nonallergic nasal polyposis (107.1 +/- 26.6 ng/mL). Significantly elevated concentrations of sICAM-1 in nasal secretion (threefold, P < .05) were detected only in patients with chronic nonallergic sinusitis (79.4 +/- 45.6 ng/mL). The elevated sICAM-1 nasal secretion values in this group correlated significantly (P < .05) to the serum values. CONCLUSIONS: Equally elevated concentrations of IL-5 and IgE in patients with allergic rhinitis and nonallergic nasal polyposis implicated similar pathogenic processes in both diseases. Whereas the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis is IgE-specific, the pathogenesis of nasal polyps is not as clear. IL-5 was suggested to play a pivotal role in tissue eosinophilia, which was confirmed by data in the present study. Elevated concentrations of ECP were suggested to result from tissue eosinophilia--a characteristic of both diseases. Elevated concentrations of sICAM-1 in patients with chronic nonallergic sinusitis pointed to its key role in the recruitment of neutrophils into the inflamed tissue, whereas an important role in eosinophil recruitment was ruled out.