Accumulation of interferon gamma-producing TH1 helper T cells in nasal polyps.
We investigated the mechanisms involved in the formation of nasal polyps by examining T-cell clones and their production of soluble mediators in nasal polyps. Recently, the allergic origin of nasal polyps has been challenged. To study this question we characterized T cells from polyp tissue of allergic individuals in terms of their cytokine pattern. Nasal polyp T cells were cloned from allergic individuals undergoing polypectomy. Polyp tissue was dispersed enzymatically, and T cells were stimulated with mitogen and interleukin-2. Control T cells were obtained from peripheral blood of nonallergic donors. Cytokine production of interleukin-4 and interferon was then determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. Polyp T-cell clones were found to produce high interferon but low interleukin-4 levels that were not significantly different from control peripheral blood T-cell clones. In addition, immunoglobulin production by dispersed polyp tissue was investigated. Immunoglobulin levels were higher in polyp tissues than in serum with immunoglobulin A predominating. These results suggest that the inflammatory reaction in nasal polyps is different than that seen in a typical type I hypersensitivity response.
Division of Otolaryngology, University of Rochester, NY 14642.
C H
CH
Miller
D R
DR
Pudiak
F
F
Hatem
R J
RJ
Looney
D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma