T Cell Responses to a <i>Dermatophagoides farinae</i> Allergen Preparation in Allergies and Healthy Controls

Abstract

We have studied possible differences between mite-allergic individuals and healthy controls in their T cell proliferation and T cell surface markers after in vitro stimulation with a <i>Dermatophagoides farinae</i> allergen preparation. No significant differences were found between the two groups in <sup>3</sup>H-thymidine incorporation in T cells after 7 days in culture with allergen- and antigen-presenting cells. The frequencies of allergen-reactive T cells determined by limiting dilution were also similar in the two groups. Finally, no differences were found in surface markers on allergen-activated T cells from mite-allergic and healthy blood donors using a variety of monoclonal antibodies reactive with T cell subsets and activation antigens. Our conclusion is that with the <i>D. farinae</i> preparation employed in this investigation and using T cells prepared from peripheral blood no significant differences were seen between mite allergies and controls.