Interleukin 4 and interferon-gamma secretion by antigen and mitogen-stimulated mononuclear cells in the hyper-IgE syndrome: no TH-2 cytokine pattern.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Enhanced production of TH-2 cytokines plays a key role in increased IgE production in allergic diseases. Reports about the cytokine profile secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with hyper-IgE syndrome, however, are controversial, suggesting alternative causes for increased IgE production in this syndrome.

OBJECTIVE:

We wished to determine whether mononuclear cells from patients with hyper-IgE syndrome have a pattern of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production characteristic of a predominance of TH-2 cells and whether the cytokine production pattern is constant over time.

METHODS:

IL-4 and IFN-gamma secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and D. pteronyssinus was measured by ELISA in culture supernatants. Patients with the hyper-IgE syndrome were evaluated 3 times at 4-week intervals and compared with asthmatic patients and normal subjects.

RESULTS:

In PHA-stimulated cultures, patients with hyper-IgE syndrome had an IL-4 and IFN-gamma secretion similar to that of controls, while asthmatic patients had increased IL-4 and decreased IFN-gamma production. Cultures stimulated with D. pteronyssinus showed a variable pattern of secretion for both cytokines.

CONCLUSIONS:

In allergic diseases, increased serum IgE level is the result of a TH-2 pattern of cytokine production, with high IL-4 and decreased IFN-gamma protein secretion. The increased serum IgE concentration typical of the hyper-IgE syndrome is likely the result of a different immunoregulatory process.

• Authors: M F Rodríguez, P J Patiño, F Montoya, C J Montoya, R U Sorensen, D García de Olarte
• Journal: Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol) Vol. 81 Issue 5 Pg. 443-7 (Nov 1998) ISSN: 1081-1206 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9860038 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens
• Cytokines
• Mitogens
• Phytohemagglutinins
• Interleukin-4
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antigens (pharmacology)
• Cytokines (analysis)
• Female
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (metabolism)
• Interleukin-4 (metabolism)
• Job Syndrome (blood, metabolism)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (metabolism)
• Male
• Mitogens (pharmacology)
• Phytohemagglutinins (pharmacology)
• Th2 Cells (chemistry)