Immune function in patients with acute pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the balance of T-helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines, and the numbers of CD4+ T and CD8+ T-cells, and was investigated, together with the plasma concentration of the antigen, an apoptosis marker, in patients with mild and acute pancreatitis (AP).


METHODS
Plasma concentrations of soluble (s) CD4, sCD8, sIL-2-R, IL-12, IFN-gamma and sFas antigen were measured by ELISA, and CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts were measured by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Both CD4+ T and CD8+ T-cells were reduced in number; in the severe cases the reduction in the former was more pronounced. A significant positive correlation was noted among the concentrations of sCD4, sIL-2-R and IL-12, and a significant positive correlation was also found between sCD4 and sFas. During the early stage of AP, the concentrations of sCD4, sCD8, sIL-2-R, IL-12 and IFN-gamma increased more in the severe cases compared with those who had milder symptoms; however, these increases were moderated during the clinical course.


CONCLUSIONS
We considered that these Th1 type CD4+ T cells probably induce the activation of macrophages and further pro-inflammatory reactions during the early stage of AP, as well as exerting direct cytotoxicity effects through Fas/Fas ligand expression.
Uehara
Soichiro
S
Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Ohtakionsen Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan. ootaki_ph@jyoujinkai.or.jp
Gothoh
Katsuhiro
K
Handa
Hiroshi
H
Tomita
Hiroshi
H
Tomita
Yoshimura
Y
D000208:Acute Disease; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000097:blood; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000097:blood
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D019014:fas Receptor; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma