TH1/TH2 cytokine balance in patients with both type 1 diabetes mellitus and asthma.
OBJECTIVE
T1DM and asthma are mediated by opposite arms of the cellular immune system namely T helper (Th)1 and Th2 CD4(+) cells, respectively. Our aim was to characterize the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in patients with both T1DM and asthma.


METHODS
Forty-four patients, mean age 19 years were matched by gender and age, to 4 paired groups: T1DM and asthma, asthma only, T1DM only and healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated in vitro with disease-specific recombinant antigens; glutamic acid decarboxylase and house dust mite (Der p1 antigen) for T1DM and asthma, respectively, and non-specific mitogens; phytohemaglutinin (PHA), tetanus toxin and anti-CD3 mAb. ELISPOT and ELISA technique were used to determine INF-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-13 and IL-10 expression.


RESULTS
Patients with T1DM and asthma demonstrated a similar cytokine pattern but lower Th1/Th2 ratio compared to patients with T1DM only. The Th2 cytokines response to Der p1 was enhanced in patients with both diseases compared to controls. The IL-10 overall secretion was higher in patients with both diseases compared to one disease only.


CONCLUSIONS
The Th1 and Th2 secretory pattern of patients with T1DM and asthma combines features of both diseases suggesting a unique Th1/Th2 balance.
Rachmiel
Marianna
M
Department of Pediatrics, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Bloch
Olga
O
Bistritzer
Tzvi
T
Weintrob
Naomi
N
Ofan
Regina
R
Koren-Morag
Nira
N
Rapoport
Micha J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines