IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-5, IL-12 Production by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Moderate Atopic Asthma and Its Relation with Clinical Findings / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Activation of T helper(Th) cells and secretion of cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Th2 cells secrete IL-4 and IL-5. IL-4 stimulates IgE production and IL-5 is related with hematopoiesis, chemotaxis and activation of eosinophils. IFN-gamma produced by Th1 cells and IL-12 produced by antigen presenting cells have an inhibitory action on IgE production. We examined the cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) of atopic asthmatic children and its relation with clinical findings. METHODS: We measured IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-5, IL-12 in serum and supernatants of stimulated PBMCs cultures in 32 children with moderate stable asthma and 17 healthy controls. They were compared with number of skin test positive allergens, serum total IgE, peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR), methacholine PD20, sputum eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein(ECP). RESULTS: No difference in serum cytokines was found between patients and controls, except IL-5. In supernatants of stimulated PBMCs cultures, the concentration of IL-4, IL-5 was significantly increased and IFN-gamma, IL-12 was significantly decreased in patients compared with controls. IL-4 was related with total serum IgE and numbers of skin test positive allergens. IL-5 was related with sputum eosinophils and ECP. The serum total IgE was inversely and PEFR was directly related with IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: In atopic asthmatics, Th1 cytokines were increased and Th2 were decreased in stimulated PBMCs cultures. IL-4 was related with atopy, IFN-gamma with lung function and IL-5 with airway inflammation.