Effect of BCG vaccination on cytokine mRNA expression in atopic children with asthma.
BACKGROUND
To investigate whether a preexisting T(H2)-type immune response could be suppressed by BCG immunization in atopic children with asthma.


RESULTS
We have used PCR to amplify reverse transcribed (RT) IFN-gamma and IL-5 mRNA expressed by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to in vitro phytohemagglutinin A, purified protein derivative and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus II stimulation from nine atopic children, both before and 8 weeks after BCG vaccination. We have demonstrated that IFN-gamma expression was induced in response to all stimulants (IFN-gamma/beta-actin) after the vaccination, whereas there was no expression before (P<0.001). Although there was a tendency to diminish in the expression of IL-5 mRNA in response to the stimulants, only PHA rendered a statistically significant decrease after the vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide some evidence of TH1 dominance after BCG administration in atopic children.
Ozer
Ayse
A
Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Haydarpasa, 81326 Istanbul, Turkey. aozer@superonline.com
Tükenmez
Faruk
F
Biricik
Anil
A
Barlan
Isil B
IB
Cirakoglu
Beyazit
B
Başaran
Müjdat M
MM
D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000494:pharmacology; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000494:pharmacology
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D016207:Cytokines; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014373:Tuberculin