Expression of adhesion molecules and effect of disodium cromoglycate treatment in asthmatics

Allergic processes are complex disorders in which inflammatory and immunolo gical mechanisms are involved. Many studies indicate that the adhesion mole cules are upregurated in allergic inflammation, and play a critical role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. Modulation of the expression of adhesion molecules may provide a potential new target for therapeutic inte rvention in allergic diseases. In the present study the changes expression of adhesion molecules CD11a, CD18 (LFA-1), CD54 (ICAM-1) and L-selectin (CD 62L) and VLA-4 (CD49d) were analysed by flow cytometry. Serum concentration s of soluble ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and soluble low affinity receptor for IgE conce ntrations sCD23 were measured by ELISA in atopic patients with mild asthma before and after treatment by disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). The most signif icant finding was a significant decrease of ICAM-1 expression on monocytes and CD49d on monocytes and lymphocytes as well as an increase of L-selectin expression on monocytes after treatment with DSCG, without any associated effect on CD11a and CD18. The levels of soluble ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were not changed, only the levels of soluble CD23 that plays a regulatory role in on going IgE production, were decreased in asthmatic patients after the treatm ent with DSCG. These results suggest that DSCG diminishes cell activation.