Increased interleukin 5 production in eosinophilic Sézary syndrome: regulation by interferon alfa and interleukin 12.
BACKGROUND
Peripheral eosinophilia occurs in a small subpopulation of patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and denotes a poor prognosis. Clinical studies have suggested that the Sézary cell is a T(H)2 type helper T cell that produces cytokines that enhance the differentiation and activation of eosinophils. Interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) and interleukin 12 are effective therapeutic agents for CTCL and other hematologic disorders.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine the inhibitory activity of IFN-alpha and IL-12 on IL-5 production in vitro by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from patients with CTCL and eosinophilia.


METHODS
Suppression of IL-5 production by IFN-alpha and IL-12 was assessed by comparing IL-5 production by PBMCs from patients with Sézary syndrome and eosinophilia when cultured alone or in the presence of either IFN-alpha or IL-12.


RESULTS
A marked increase in IL-5 production by PBMCs from patients with Sézary syndrome and eosinophilia was observed. IL-5 production was markedly reduced when PBMCs were exposed to IFN-alpha or IL-12.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that IFN-alpha and perhaps IL-12 may produce a therapeutic response in patients with CTCL and eosinophilia through direct suppression of IL-5 production by malignant Sézary cells.
Suchin
K R
KR
Department of Dermatology and the General Clinical Research Center of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-4283, USA.
Cassin
M
M
Gottleib
S L
SL
Sood
S
S
Cucchiara
A J
AJ
Vonderheid
E C
EC
Rook
A H
AH
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012751:Sezary Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*
D007370:Interferon Type I; D015848:Interleukin-5; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018664:Interleukin-12