EXPRESSION OF HIGH-AFFINITY IGE RECEPTOR (FC-EPSILON-RI) ON HUMAN ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES FROM ATOPIC AND NONATOPIC PATIENTS

The expression of high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RI) on alveol ar macrophages was examined in order to determine the association of a lveolar macrophages with IgE-dependent inflammation. Immunostaining sh owed that a 15-1 monoclonal antibody against Fc epsilon RI alpha chain reacted with alveolar macrophages from both atopic and non-atopic pat ients by immunostaining. In addition, preincubation of 15-1 monoclonal antibody specifically blocked monomeric IgE binding to alveolar macro phages. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that CD 14+ alveolar macrophages expressed Fc epsilon RI alpha, beta and gamma chain mRNA. These results show that alveolar macrophages express Fc e psilon RI and may participate in IgE-dependent inflammation mediated b y Fc epsilon RI.