Distributions of T cell subsets expressing receptors for complement split products (CSP) C3a or C5a in blood of serum IgE+ aeroallergen allergic adults

Abstract

Previous studies demonstrated that CD4+ T cells and IL-4 are required for human and rodent IgE responses. We demonstrated that two distinct T cell subsets (CD4+, CD8+CD60+) and 6 cytokines (including IL-4, IFN alpha, IFN gamma, but not IL-13) are required for human ragweed specific memory IgE responses. However, little is known about events upstream of T cell participation leading to IgE production. Antigen/allergen cleaves complement, but it is unknown if/which T cells express receptors for CSP.