Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of allergens on activation of blood CCR3(+) granulocyte subtypes in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to examine the effects of allergens on CD63 and CD203c expressions on CCR3(+)CD203c(-) eosinophils and CCR3(+)CD203c(+) basophils of AR patients. Plasma levels of IL-25 and TSLP of the patients were detected with multiplex immunoassay and ELISA, respectively, and their correlations with eosinophils and basophils were analyzed. RNA-sequencing of blood CD16(-) granulocytes from AR patients was performed, and enrichment analysis was used to explore the functions and potential mechanisms of the differentially expressed genes. RESULTS: The percentages of eosinophils and basophils in CCR3(+) granulocytes increased significantly in AR patients (P<0.005), and exposure to allergens further upregulated the percentage of basophils (P<0.005). CD63 expression was significantly increased in patients with seasonal AR (sAR) and perennial AR (pAR) (P<0.005) but not in AR patients negative for skin prick test (nAR). Allergen exposures enhanced the expressions of CD63 and CD203c on eosinophils and basophils in pAR patients (P<0.005). Elevated plasma IL-25 and TSLP levels in AR patients were associated with increased eosinophil and basophil counts (P<0.005). The 3999 differentially expressed genes in CD16(-) granulocytes from AR patients positive for skin prick test (SPT(+)) were involved in protein synthesis, energy metabolism and immune function and in endocytosis, phagosome and carbon metabolism pathways. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this study enrich the understanding of the roles of CCR3(+) eosinophils and basophils in the pathogenesis of SPT(+)AR and reveal potential therapeutic targets for AR.