title: Increased frequency of Th2-type cytokine-producing T cells in microfilaremic loiasis.
abstract: The frequency of cytokine-producing peripheral blood mononuclear cells was assessed in 28 subjects with microfilaremic loiasis and in 14 amicrofilaremic individuals. In addition, a subgroup of seven microfilaremic individuals coinfected with Plasmodium malariae was evaluated. By using flow cytometry for the intracellular detection of cytokines, a more pronounced T helper (Th)2 cell-type response with the expansion of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and IL-13 expressing CD4+ cells in the microfilaremic compared with the amicrofilaremic group was noted. Expression of IL-5 was equivalent in both groups as was the frequency of Th2-type cytokines expressing CD8+ cells and of Th1-type cytokines (interferon [IFN]-gamma, IL-2, IFN-gamma/IL-2) producing CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Th0-type cytokine-expressing cells, represented by IL-4/IFN-gamma, IL-10/IFN-gamma, and IL-13/IFN-gamma, were equally distributed within groups. Coinfection of P. malariae did not significantly alter the cytokine expression compared with microfilaremic individuals without P. malariae infections. By identifying a large panel of cytokine-producing T cell subpopulations, a Th2-driven immune response in microfilaremic Loa loa patients was noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, and Institute of General and Experimental Pathology, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Willheim
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aichelburg
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kremsner
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Graninger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008117:Loa / Q000276:immunology; D008118:Loiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000276:immunology; D010965:Plasmodium malariae / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines