title: Decrease of interleukin-10-producing T cells in the peripheral blood of severe unstable atopic asthmatics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although IL-10 is known as an immunoregulatory cytokine produced by various cells including T cells, its basic profile in atopic asthma remains uncertain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The profiles of IL-10 production in circulating CD4+ T cells of atopic asthmatics were investigated with respect to clinical severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty atopic asthmatics were divided into three groups: mild, and severe but stable and severe unstable asthmatics. Eosinophils were counted in the peripheral blood and sputum, and exhaled nitric oxide was assessed. PBMCs were stimulated with or without anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies and then processed for detecting IL-10-producing CD4+ cells using flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in the eosinophil count in blood or sputum and in nitric oxide level among the three groups. IL-10-producing CD4+ cells were mainly detected in a CD45RO+ memory population. The frequency of IL-10-producing cells after stimulation was significantly lower in the severe unstable group compared to the mild group. In addition, the frequency of IL-10-producing cells in the severe unstable group was significantly lower than that in the severe stable group despite the fact that both groups received similar treatments with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids. The IL-10 production of CD4+CD45RO+ cells in response to dexamethasone did not differ among the three groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-10-producing CD4+CD45RO+ cells in the peripheral blood are decreased in severe unstable asthmatics, which is not explained by the effect of high-dose inhaled corticosteroid medication.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. koichi@kokyu.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Hiromasa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukuyama
authors.forename: Miyuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsuda
authors.forename: Tomomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikegami
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kibe
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshiura
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Komori
authors.forename: Naotaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hamasaki
authors.forename: Hisamichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aizawa
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D016753:Interleukin-10; D003907:Dexamethasone; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens