Theophylline suppresses IL-5 and IL-13 production, and lymphocyte proliferation upon stimulation with house dust mite in asthmatic children.
BACKGROUND
Although theophylline has long been used as a medication for bronchial asthma (BA), much remains to be elucidated about its action on Th2 cells, which play a critical role in the development of BA.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to clarify the effect of theophylline on Th2 cells in an allergen-specific manner in children with BA.


METHODS
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 32 children with BA were stimulated with house dust mite (HDM) or a purified HDM allergen Der f 1 in the presence or absence of theophylline at a therapeutic concentration (5-20 microg/ml). The proliferation of lymphocytes and the secretion of IL-5 and IL-13 were measured to estimate the influence of theophylline.


RESULTS
Theophylline at a concentration of 20 microg/ml significantly suppressed lymphocyte proliferation induced by 6-day culture with HDM or Der f 1. It also significantly reduced the production of IL-5 and IL-13 upon stimulation with HDM or Der f 1. Suppression of cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation increased with concentrations of theopylline between 5 and 20 microg/ml.


CONCLUSIONS
Theophylline suppresses the proliferation of lymphocytes and the production of proinflammatory Th2 cytokines, IL-5 and IL-13 induced by stimulation of PBMCs with HDM in children with BA.
Kimura
Mitsuaki
M
Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Shizuoka Children's Hospital, Shizuoka City, Japan. kimuraco@jun.ncvc.go.jp
Okafuji
Ikuo
I
Yoshida
Takami
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000494:pharmacology*
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D018793:Interleukin-13; D015848:Interleukin-5; D013806:Theophylline; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451159:Dermatophagoides farinae antigen f 1