Dysregulation of IL-2 and IL-8 production in circulating T lymphocytes from young cystic fibrosis patients.
It is well documented that patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are unable to clear persistent airway infections in spite of strong local inflammation, suggesting a dysregulation of immunity in CF. We and others have reported previously that T lymphocytes may play a prominent role in this immune imbalance. In the present work, we compared the reactivity of CD3+ T cells obtained from young CF patients in stable clinical conditions (n = 10, aged 9-16.5 years) to age-matched healthy subjects (n = 6, aged 9-13.5 years). Intracellular levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-8 and IL-10 were determined by flow cytometry after whole blood culture. The data identified T lymphocyte subsets producing either low levels (M1) or high levels (M2) of cytokine under steady-state conditions. We found that the production of IFN-gamma and IL-10 by T lymphocytes was similar between young CF patients and healthy subjects. In contrast, after 4 h of activation with PMA and ionomycin, the percentage of T cells producing high levels of IL-2 (M2) was greater in CF patients (P = 0.02). Moreover, T cells from CF patients produced lower levels of IL-8, before and after activation (P = 0.007). We conclude that a systemic immune imbalance is present in young CF patients, even when clinically stable. This disorder is characterized by the capability of circulating T lymphocytes to produce low levels of IL-8 and by the emergence of more numerous T cells producing high levels of IL-2. This imbalance may contribute to immune dysregulation in CF.
Hubeau
C
C
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMRS 514, Institut Fédératif de Recherche (IFR) 53, Reims, France.
Le Naour
R
R
Abély
M
M
Hinnrasky
J
J
Guenounou
M
M
Gaillard
D
D
Puchelle
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D016209:Interleukin-8