Candida albicans-specific lymphoproliferative and cytokine (IL-4 and IFN-gamma) responses in atopic eczema dermatitis syndrome. Evidence of CD4/CD8 and CD3/CD16+CD56 ratio elevations in vitro.
BACKGROUND
Hypersensitivity to cross-reactive mannan polysaccharide allergens of saprophytic yeasts is likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of atopic eczema dermatitis syndrome (AEDS). Mannans induce elevated specific immunoglobulin E and lymphoproliferative responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). To gain more detailed data of the involvement of different subpopulations of PBMCs in AEDS after mannan stimulation, changes in the cell-surface marker distribution were analysed.


METHODS
The Ficoll-isolated PBMCs of eight yeast hypersensitive AEDS patients and seven non-AEDS controls were stimulated in vitro by mannan (CAM) or whole extract antigen [In-House Reference (IHR)] of Candida albicans or tuberculin [purified protein derivative (PPD)] and after immunofluorescence staining analysed by flow cytometry. The expression of cytokine mRNA was measured by kinetic real-time polymerase chain reaction (TaqMan).


RESULTS
After 7-day antigen stimulation, there were significant increases in the CD3/CD16(+)CD56 ratio (P = 0.028 with mannan and P = 0.006 with IHR), CD4/CD8 ratio (P = 0.049 with mannan) and interleukin-4/interferon-gamma (IL-4/IFN-gamma) mRNA ratio (P = 0.028 with IHR) and a decrease in the CD3/CD19 ratio (P = 0.035 with mannan) of AEDS patients' PBMCs as compared with healthy controls' cells. These changes were not seen in cultures with PPD.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed CAM and IHR-induced elevations in T cell/natural killer cell, CD4/CD8 and IL-4/IFN-gamma ratios suggest that C. albicans-induced TH(2)-type responses can also play a role in AEDS.
Kosonen
Jan
J
Department of Pulmonary Diseases and Clinical Allergology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. jankos@utu.fi
Luhtala
Marko
M
Viander
Markku
M
Kalimo
Kirsti
K
Terho
Erkki O
EO
Savolainen
Johannes
J
D000328:Adult; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000378:metabolism; D013577:Syndrome
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D017252:CD3 Complex; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D008351:Mannans; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma