ABSTRACT
In this study, we introduce an application of flow cytometry for the concurrent detection of phagocytotic cells and surface molecules involved in the phagocytic process. E. coli expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) were applied as the phagocytosable particles. Blood samples were incubated with E. coli expressing GFP, followed by indirect immunofluorescence using four candidate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Granulocytes that had phagocytosed E. coli exhibited high levels of GFP intensity, in contrast to the non-phagocytosed cells. By comparing the level of expression of molecules expressed on phagocytosed granulocytes with that of non-phagocytosed cells by flow cytometry, it enabled the determination of the expression and alteration of the cell surface molecules upon phogocytosis. Of the four mAbs used in this study, upon phagocytosis, molecules recognized by mAbs WK13, COSA5A and COSA33NL were up-regulated. However, CD15 recognized by mAb VIMD5 was down-regulated. The proposed method will benefit the study of phagocytic mechanisms in the future.
ABSTRACT
Several proteins of rubber latex have been recognized as allergens causing immediate hypersensitivity in humans. In this study, a bottom fraction membrane (BFM) protein preparation from Hevea brasiliensis trees grown in southern Thailand was used to detect specific IgE in four groups of serum samples. The first group included 170 samples of latex glove factory workers (LGWs); group 2 consisted of the sera of 35 health care workers (HCWs) who were repeatedly exposed to powdered latex gloves; groups 3 and 4 were 31 positive and 22 negative sera, respectively, obtained from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA, tested for IgE to latex allergen. It was found that 56/170 (33%), 5/35 (14%), 11/31 (35.5%) and 1/22 (4.5%) samples of the LGWs, HCWs, CAP+ and CAP- groups had significant IgE to the BFM proteins, respectively. However, of all subjects only one subject of group 1 had experienced allergic morbidity consisting of eczema, conjunctivitis and asthma. The IgE of this subject bound to a 55 kDa component in the rubber latex BFM preparation. Thus, this protein may be regarded as a novel, although minor, latex allergen. Further investigation is needed to characterize the component and to pinpoint its allergenic role.