EOSINOPHIL CHEMILUMINESCENCE RESPONSE TO CYTOKINES AND OPSONIZED ZYMOSANS IN ATOPIC-DERMATITIS

Chemiluminescence (CL) responsiveness of eosinophils (Eos) to zymosan particles coated with either IgG, C-3 or both and eosinophilopoiesis-m odulating cytokines was investigated in patients with atopic dermatiti s (AD), and an attempt was made to correlate these CL responses with s erum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) which increased in re sponse to the extent of AD severity, but not blood eosinophil counts. A high degree of positive correlation existed between serum levels of ECP and either IgG containing opsonized zymosan- or interleukin-5 (IL- 5)-induced CLs. The CL values induced by these two stimuli appeared to be directly correlated with the intensity of each ligand-linked recep tor expression. These results suggested that Fc gamma RII- and/or IL-5 R-mediated eosinophil activation at the site of lesional skins might i mplicate in deterioration of cutaneous inflammation, and consequently cause an elevation of serum levels of ECP in AD.