Interleukin-18 is associated with increased severity of atopic dermatitis in children.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing skin disease characterized by reduced interferon (IFN) gamma production with concurrent up-regulation of interleukin (IL)-4. Recently, it was reported that IL-18, formerly called IFN gamma-inducing factor, induces the production of T helper (Th)2-related cytokines without help from IL-12. This study was performed to evaluate the contribution of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of AD. Significantly higher serum IL-18 concentrations were found in patients with severe AD than in healthy subjects. Under staphylococcal enterotoxin B stimulation, IL-18 secretion was increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with AD. There were significant differences in the concentrations of IL-10, IL-12, and soluble Fas ligand between AD patients and normal controls. In conclusion, increased serum IL-18 concentrations may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD.
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Allergy, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Myung Hyun
MH
Sohn
Kyung Eun
KE
Lee
Kyu-Earn
KE
Kim
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000494:pharmacology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D016207:Cytokines; D004768:Enterotoxins; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D020382:Interleukin-18; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal