Plasmapheresis modulates Th1/Th2 imbalance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus according to measurement of intracytoplasmic cytokines.

Abstract

To examine the possible effect of plasmapheresis on the ratio of Th1/Th2 type cytokine-secreting cells we recruited eight patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus into the present study. They all failed to respond to conventional therapy. A sensitive multiparametric flow cytometric analysis was used for the detection of intracellular IL-4, IL-10 and IFNgamma. Stimulated peripheral blood cells were analysed by this procedure. Plasmapheresis was performed every second day for three occasions, using a continuous flow type blood cell separator, and a total of 100 ml/body weight kg plasma was removed. Patients received 1 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone during this period. As a result of the procedure, the rate of IFNgamma positive Th cells increased, while the rate of IL-4 and IL-10 expressing CD4 positive cells decreased. Together with these observations the concentration of anti-ds-DNA antibodies decreased after plasmapheresis. A decrease in disease activity index (SLE-DAI) indicated the clinical effectiveness of the therapy.

• Authors: Pál Soltész, Magdolna Aleksza, Péter Antal-Szalmás, Gabriella Lakos, Gyula Szegedi, Emese Kiss
• Journal: Autoimmunity (Autoimmunity) Vol. 35 Issue 1 Pg. 51-6 (Feb 2002) ISSN: 0891-6934 [Print] England
• PMID: 11908707 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Antinuclear
• Cytokines
• Interleukin-10
• Interleukin-4
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antibodies, Antinuclear (blood)
• Case-Control Studies
• Cytokines (blood)
• Cytoplasm (immunology)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (blood)
• Interleukin-10 (blood)
• Interleukin-4 (blood)
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (immunology, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Plasmapheresis
• Th1 Cells (immunology)
• Th2 Cells (immunology)