Reduced IFNgamma production in response to IL-12 stimulation and/or reduced IL-12 production in atopic patients.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have shown that interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) are important for the regulation of IgE production and that IL-12 induces IFNgamma.


OBJECTIVE
IFNgamma production in response to IL-12 stimulation and IL-12 production were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of atopic patients with various levels of serum IgE.


METHODS
Cytokine production from PBMCs was measured following stimulation with a nonspecific stimulator (phytohemagglutinin: PHA), a specific stimulator (Der f 1) and IL-12 in 17 healthy controls and 23 atopic patients with various serum IgE levels.


RESULTS
The IFNgamma production by IL-12-stimulated PBMCs in the atopic group was lower than that in the control group. Furthermore, the serum IgE level was negatively correlated with IFNgamma production by PBMCs stimulated with IL-12 (P < 0.001), and with IL-12 production by PBMCs stimulated with Der f 1 (P < 0.001). Although the IFNgamma concentrations by PHA-stimulated PBMCs were correlated with those by IL-12-stimulated PBMCs, there were differences in several patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicated that atopic patients may have some abnormality in the IL-12-IFNgamma loop. It was shown that the elevation in IgE levels in atopic patients may be due to reduced IFNgamma production in response to IL-12 stimulation and/or due to reduced IL-12 production.
Matsui
E
E
Department of Paediatrics; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan.
Kaneko
H
H
Teramoto
T
T
Fukao
T
T
Inoue
R
R
Kasahara
K
K
Takemura
M
M
Seishima
M
M
Kondo
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma