Th1 and Th2 cytokines in a patient with Evans' syndrome and profound lymphopenia.
A case of Evans' syndrome with IgM deficiency and lymphopenia was studied before and after splenectomy. The lymphopenia was as a result of profound reduction of CD4 and CD8 cells. Study of cytokine secretion before splenectomy revealed a spontaneous Th1- and Th2-type cytokine production, and complete suppression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. After splenectomy, the patient achieved clinical remission, the natural killer (NK) cell number increased and the pattern of cytokine production showed normalization of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, TGF-beta and abolition of interferon (IFN)-gamma production. We conclude that splenectomy had a beneficial effect owing to an increase in NK cells and an associated increase in TGF-beta production.
Karakantza
M
M
Laboratory of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece. makara@med.upatras.gr
Mouzaki
A
A
Theodoropoulou
M
M
Bussel
J B
JB
Maniatis
A
A
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000172:deficiency*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000032:analysis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy; D013577:Syndrome; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis
D016207:Cytokines; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007376:Interleukin-2; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma