title: Increased production of interleukin 4 by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from patients with tuberculosis is related to the presence of pulmonary cavities.
abstract: In tuberculosis, cellular immunity is considered to be responsible for the eradication of infection but also for damage of host tissues. In animal models, the balance between Th1-type cytokines, especially interferon (IFN)-gamma, and Th2-type cytokines, primarily interleukin (IL)-4, seems crucial for these effects. Reports on Th1-type and Th2-type cytokines in human tuberculosis are conflicting, and little is known about their role in tissue damage. Flow-cytometric assessment of cytokine responses was performed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative patients with active tuberculosis and in healthy controls. Patients and controls showed no significant difference in expression of IFN-gamma. However, patients showed a striking increase in production of IL-4 in CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cells. Most remarkably, the expression of IL-4 was especially elevated in patients with cavitary tuberculosis. The Th2-type response with increased production of IL-4 in patients with tuberculosis may antagonize host defense and lead to tissue necrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Crevel
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karyadi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Preyers
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leenders
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kullberg
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Nelwan
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: van der Meer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma