Cytokine-producing cells in peripheral blood of children with coeliac disease secrete cytokines with a type 1 profile.
Coeliac disease (CoD) is a small intestinal disorder characterized by crypt cell hyperplasia and villous atrophy, and the production of cytokines from T cells and macrophages are of importance for the histological changes seen in CoD. A peroral immunization with an antigen, which gives rise to a mucosal immune response, may increase the levels of circulating cytokine-producing cells, and we wanted to obtain a better picture of an eventual emergence of activated circulating T cells in the peripheral blood in children with CoD. The cytokine expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 was measured at the single-cell level by an ELISPOT method in 38 children with CoD. The numbers of IFN-gamma-producing cells in the peripheral blood was increased in children with untreated CoD (P < 0.01) and after gluten challenge (P < 0.05) compared with healthy controls. Also, the numbers of IL-6-producing cells were increased (P < 0.05) after gluten challenge compared with the healthy controls. A paired comparison showed that the numbers of IFN-gamma-producing cells increased after gluten challenge (P < 0.05), whereas no such change was seen for IL-4- or IL-10-producing cells. There were no differences in the numbers of IFN-gamma-producing cells between the group of children with treated CoD and the groups of untreated or challenged CoD children. IL-4 production correlated with serum levels of total IgE. These results show that circulating mononuclear cells in children with active CoD secrete cytokines compatible with a type 1 response.
Hansson
T
T
Department of Clinical Immunology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Dannaeus
A
A
Klareskog
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male
D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma