title: Inhibitory effect of IL-4 on the production of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha by gastric mononuclear cells of Helicobacter pylori infected patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mechanisms by which Helicobacter pylori damages host tissues are complex and unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the production of proinflammatory cytokines by the gastric mononuclear cells of H. pylori infected patients was determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of IL-4 and IFN-gamma on the production of proinflammatory cytokines by the gastric mononuclear cells of H. pylori infected patients was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IL-4 markedly reduced the production of IL-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) by the gastric mononuclear cells of H. pylori infected patients (P < 0.01). Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay indicated a decrease in IL-4 producing cells (P < 0.05) and an increase in IFN-gamma secreting cells (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased level of proinflammatory cytokines may be due to hyposecretion of IL-4 in H. pylori infected patients. T helper type 1 (Th1) immune response with increased IFN-gamma also contributes to the inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amjad
authors.forename: S U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Kazmi
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reza-ul Karim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma