Diminished IL-10 production in subjects with allergy after infection with influenza A virus.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have documented a link between respiratory viral infections and the expression of asthma and other allergic disorders. Results from other studies have suggested that diminished production of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, may contribute to the pathophysiologic features of these diseases.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine whether diminished IL-10 production and TH2 cytokine skewing occur in allergic, as compared with nonallergic, subjects after experimental infection with the influenza A virus.


METHODS
PBMCs were isolated from 11 subjects with allergy and 14 subjects with no allergy before and after influenza A infection and stimulated with either mitogen (PHA) or antigen (influenza A). Supernatants were assayed for IL-10, IL-4, and IFN-gamma by ELISA.


RESULTS
PBMC IL-10 production was significantly diminished in subjects with allergy, as compared with subjects with no allergy, after experimental infection with influenza A virus. However, significant TH2 skewing and enhanced airway symptoms were not observed in these same subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide further support that subjects with allergy have an intrinsic inability to upregulate IL-10 production in response to inflammatory stimuli and extend this observation to include respiratory viral infections. Future studies in this area could lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of asthma and other allergic disorders
Gentile
D A
DA
Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA.
Patel
A
A
Ollila
C
C
Fireman
P
P
Zeevi
A
A
Doyle
W J
WJ
Skoner
D P
DP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000821:virology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000821:virology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000821:virology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma