DEMONSTRATION OF THE HIGH-AFFINITY IGE RECEPTOR (FC(EPSILON)RI) ON LANGERHANS CELLS OF DISEASED NASAL-MUCOSA

Langerhans' cells in the skin have recently been shown to bind IgE mol ecules via the high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc(epsilon)RI). Using two h ighly specific antibodies against the antibody-binding alpha-chain of this receptor, 29C6 and 6F7, we demonstrate by immunohistochemistry an d immunoelectron microscopy that Langerhans' cells of diseased nasal m ucosa can express the Fc(epsilon)RI. Tissue sections from hyperplastic nasal conchae and nasal polyps of atopic and nonatopic patients have shown no basic differences in epithelial Fc(epsilon)RI-bearing cells. Only a few cells expressed the low-affinity IgE receptor (Fc(epsilon)R II) (Tu1 antibody) in some sections. These findings suggest that Lange rhans' cells play an important role in the induction of transepithelia l IgE-mediated allergy and in the mediation of inflammation of the nas al mucosa via their Fc(epsilon)RI.