title: T cell cytokine profile during primary Epstein-Barr virus infection (infectious mononucleosis).
abstract: Cytokine profiles of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets were evaluated in 8 patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM). Intracellular detection of cytokines using flow cytometry revealed an expansion of IFN-gamma-expressing CD4+ T cells, and particularly CD8+ T cells, while IL-2 expressing cells were less frequently encountered when compared to healthy controls. Single TNF-alpha-expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were likewise reduced and shifted towards IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha co-production. The predominant pro-inflammatory type 1-biased immune response during IM was emphasized by low frequencies of IL-10 expression in both T cell subsets, although some patients displayed elevated serum levels. Six months later, a decreased, but still elevated IFN-gamma expression within the CD8+ T cell subset, and an increased percentage of IL-2-expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, reaching values shown for controls, were noted. Type 2-associated cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13, as well as IL-6 and TNF-alpha were not significantly different when compared to controls at study entry and at follow-up. The striking expansion of IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells with rather low expression of IL-10, appears to be a key factor for clinically overt disease, but is nevertheless compatible with successful control of the viral infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of Vienna, Austria, Waehringerguertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Trawat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Attarbaschi
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Willheim
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramharter
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wahl
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Graninger
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Winkler
mesh_terms: D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000276:immunology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma