Decreased interleukin-18 expression in BAL cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in adult cystic fibrosis patients.
Lymphocytes from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients secrete less interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) upon stimulation compared to controls. Expression of interleukin (IL)-18 as an IFN-gamma inducing factor and of IL-10 as an IL-18 inhibiting factor were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from CF patients (n=5) and from normal control subjects (n=9) as well as in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients (n=12) and from control subjects (n=9) with RT-PCR. IL-18 and IL-10 serum protein levels were measured using ELISA. BAL cells and PBMC of CF patients expressed significantly less IL-18 compared to controls (p<0.05). There was no significant difference for IL-10 in BAL cells. However, PBMC from patients expressed significantly more IL-10 mRNA (p<0.05). IL-18 serum protein levels were decreased in the patient group, whereas IL-10 serum concentrations were elevated. Stimulation with rhIL-10 reduced IL-18 expression in PBMC from CF patients. Decreased IL-18 expression in CF patients may contribute to decreased IFN-gamma production. IL-10 may contribute to inhibit IL-18 expression in PBMC in CF.
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. hans-peter.hauber@mcgill.ca
Hans-Peter
HP
Hauber
Inga S
IS
Beyer
Andreas
A
Meyer
Almuth
A
Pforte
D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
D020382:Interleukin-18; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma