ABSTRACT
Alterations in the immune response play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). We evaluated the role of Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance in paediatric AD and its progression towards other allergic manifestations. The levels of total interleukin (IL)-12 (p70+p40), IL-12 p70 and soluble CD30 (sCD30) were measured in paediatric patients affected by AD and in age-matched, non-atopic subjects (controls). The serum levels of total IL-12 and sCD30 were higher in patients than in controls (p=0.003 and p=0.053, respectively). Total IL-12 and sCD30 were also particularly increased in patients with severe disease. Serum levels of total IL-12 were negatively correlated with patient age (p=0.001): they were significantly higher in patients younger than 30 months, as compared to age-matched controls and to older patients and controls. Total IL-12 and sCD30 production were not significantly correlated with disease outcomes (atopic march) or with a family history of atopy. Our data show that total IL-12 levels are strongly associated with Th2 activation and severe disease in children with AD. The increased production of total IL-12 at an early age might indicate a different immune modulation and suggests the possibility of new therapeutic approaches for allergic diseases, in particular AD, early in childhood.
Subject(s)
Aging/physiology , Dermatitis, Atopic/metabolism , Interleukin-12/metabolism , Adolescent , Allergens/immunology , Asthma/metabolism , Child , Child, Preschool , Conjunctivitis/metabolism , Dermatitis, Atopic/pathology , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/blood , Infant , Ki-1 Antigen/metabolism , Male , Monocytes/metabolism , Skin Tests , Th2 Cells/immunologyABSTRACT
Pericentric inversion of chromosome 19 has been found in several members of three unrelated families from a restricted geographical region. In one of the families, an additional pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 was observed. Reproductive problems, multiple abortions in two families and a neonatal death in the third, were present. A review of previously described cases is included, and the genetic risk connected with this type of rearrangement is also discussed.
Subject(s)
Abortion, Spontaneous/genetics , Chromosome Inversion , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 , Adult , Chromosome Banding , Female , Humans , Karyotyping , Male , Pregnancy , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
A random sample of more than 500 subjects collected in the district of l'Aquila (Italy) has been studied for the following genetic markers: ADA, EsD, G-6-PD, 6-PGD, SOD-A, Hp, C3. The gene frequencies of all the systems examined were similar to those observed in Rome. Rare variants have been found for 6-PGD, C3 and SOD-A. The last one showed an electrophoretic pattern different from the only other variant so far observed in the Italian population.
