Proliferation and production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-4 in response to Staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcal superantigen in childhood atopic dermatitis.
We have examined the cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and from non-atopic child controls by measurement of proliferative responses and production of the cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-4. PBMC from children with AD showed significantly higher proliferative responses to both S. aureus (P < 0.01) and SEB (P < 0.05). Despite this enhanced proliferation, production of IFN-gamma in response to S. aureus (P < 0.001) and SEB (P < 0.01) from these PBMC was significantly diminished. In contrast, PBMC from children with AD were significantly more likely to produce IL-4 in response to S. aureus (P < 0.01). These findings demonstrate in vitro heightened CMI to S. aureus in children with AD, and implicate S. aureus as a potent inflammatory stimulant. Impaired IFN-gamma production to S. aureus in vivo may result in failure to eradicate S. aureus from skin. The organism's persistence on skin would contribute to inflammation by causing continued T cell activation and release of pro-inflammatory mediators.
Campbell
D E
DE
Department of Immunology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Kemp
A S
AS
D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D018089:Superantigens
D004768:Enterotoxins; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D018089:Superantigens; D015847:Interleukin-4; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal; D007371:Interferon-gamma