Decreased Fc and complement receptors on the phagocytes of asthmatic children.

Surface receptors of polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear phagocytes for Fc portions of immunoglobulins and complement were studied in 57 asthmatic children and 23 normal controls. Erythrocyte-antibody complexes (EA) were used to detect the Fc receptors and erythrocyte-antibody-complement complexes (EAC) to detect complement receptors. Both the mean percentages of PMN and monocyte with Fc and complement receptors of asthmatic children were significantly lower than those of normals. Moreover, in allergic patients both the numbers of PMN with Fc and complement receptors decreased significantly after incubation with allergen.