Innate immune responses to rhinovirus are reduced by the high-affinity IgE receptor in allergic asthmatic children.

Background: Children with allergic asthma have more frequent and severe human rhinovirus (HRV)-induced wheezing and asthma exacerbations through unclear mechanisms.

Objective: We sought to determine whether increased high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) expression and cross-linking impairs innate immune responses to HRV, particularly in allergic asthmatic children.

Methods: PBMCs were obtained from 44 children, and surface expression of FcεRI on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), myeloid dendritic cells, monocytes, and basophils was assessed by using flow cytometry.