Cytokine patterns in vitro, in particular IL-5/IL-8 ratio, to detect patients with nickel contact allergy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Patch test (PT) is the gold standard to reveal nickel (Ni) allergy. In vitro tests are under discussion. We aimed to establish a cytokine based in vitro assay to detect Ni sensitization.

METHODS:

From 15 patients with positive (13f, 42-78 years) and 15 with negative PT to Ni (controls, 3f, 31-82 years) within a consecutive patient series, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained. Six-day stimulation with three concentrations of NiSO4 was performed. Proliferative response (uptake of tritiated thymidine) and production of the cytokines IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α, IFN-γ (cytometric bead array) were assessed.

RESULTS:

Twelve of fifteen Ni PT-positive patients also had positive LTT, and all control patients were PT and LTT negative. The mean SI differed between Ni allergics and controls (P < 0.01). Upon Ni stimulation, PBMC of the allergic patients showed (i) enhanced IL-5 response (P < 0.0001) and (ii) reduced IL-8 production (P < 0.01). The IL-5/IL-8-ratio best distinguished allergics from non-allergics in all three Ni concentrations with a sensitivity and specificity of 93%.

CONCLUSION:

Assessment of the ratio of Ni-induced IL-5 and reduced IL-8 production in vitro is a helpful tool for a better characterization of Ni-allergic patients.

• Authors: B Summer, S Ständer, P Thomas
• Journal: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol) Vol. 32 Issue 9 Pg. 1542-1548 (Sep 2018) ISSN: 1468-3083 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 29524267 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2018 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• IL5 protein, human
• Interleukin-5
• Interleukin-8
• Nickel

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Case-Control Studies
• Cells, Cultured
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (diagnosis, etiology, metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-5 (metabolism)
• Interleukin-8 (metabolism)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (metabolism)
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nickel (adverse effects)
• Patch Tests
• Primary Cell Culture
• Sensitivity and Specificity