IFN-gamma production in response to IL-18 or IL-12 stimulation by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of atopic patients.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have shown that interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) are important for the regulation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) production and that IL-18 and IL-12 induce IFN-gamma.


OBJECTIVE
IFN-gamma production in response to IL-18 or IL-12 stimulation was 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 non-specific stimulator (phytohemagglutinin: PHA), IL-18 or IL-12 in 12 healthy controls and 26 atopic patients with various serum IgE levels.


RESULTS
IFN-gamma production by IL-18-stimulated PBMCs was positively correlated with IFN-gamma production by IL-12-stimulated PBMCs (P < 0.05). However some atopic patients showed discrepancy between the levels of IFN-gamma production stimulated by IL-12 and by IL-18.


CONCLUSIONS
The results shown here suggest the presence of abnormalities in the IL-12 and/or IL-18 signalling pathways, such as genetic defects in the atopic patients.
Shikano
H
H
Department of Paediatrics, Gifu University School of Medicine, 40 Tsukasa-machi, Gifu 500-8705, Japan. hshikano@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp
Kato
Z
Z
Kaneko
H
H
Watanabe
M
M
Inoue
R
R
Kasahara
K
K
Takemura
M
M
Kondo
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D020382:Interleukin-18; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma