title: IL-4 production is increased in cigarette smokers.
abstract: Cigarette smoking has been associated with both increases in serum levels of total IgE and an increased risk of developing allergic-like symptoms. IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) have reciprocal roles in the regulation of IgE synthesis, and as such prompted us to evaluate, in smokers, the production of these two cytokines. We demonstrate that phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced IL-4 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of smokers (n = 19) is significantly higher than that of non-smokers (n = 10, P < 0.005). In addition, PBMC from heavy smokers, defined by the number of cigarettes smoked per day, produced significantly higher levels of IL-4 than those of light smokers. No difference between the groups was found for IFN-gamma production. Our data suggest an imbalance in cytokine production occurring in individuals who smoke. This imbalance, favouring IL-4 production, may be part of the mechanism responsible for the observed increases in serum IgE and allergic-like symptoms associated with cigarette smoking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Byron
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Varigos
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wootton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma