Lower apoptosis rate and higher CD69 expression in neutrophils from atopic individuals.

Abstract

In this study we aimed to examine the kinetics of CD69 expression and the susceptibility to apoptosis, in eosinophils and neutrophils, in the presence or absence of GM-CSF. We also addressed the question whether differences between atopic patients and healthy individuals exist in this respect. Freshly isolated eosinophils and neutrophils from non-atopic and atopic donors were analysed by flow cytometry for Annexin/PI staining, caspase 3 activation and CD69 expression. We found a higher CD69 expression when atopic neutrophils were incubated with GM-CSF compared to non-atopic neutrophils, and that the kinetics of CD69-expression in neutrophils, but not in eosinophils, differed between non-atopic and atopic individuals (p < 0.004). We also found a higher viability in GM-CSF-stimulated neutrophils from non-atopic individuals as compared to neutrophils from atopic individuals (p < 0.05). These data suggest a potential role for neutrophils in the allergic inflammatory reaction through differences in apoptosis rates and CD69 expression between atopic and non-atopic individuals.