Total IL-12 levels are increased in paediatric atopic dermatitis: correlations with age and disease severity.
Alterations in the immune response play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). We evaluated the role of Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance in paediatric AD and its progression towards other allergic manifestations. The levels of total interleukin (IL)-12 (p70+p40), IL-12 p70 and soluble CD30 (sCD30) were measured in paediatric patients affected by AD and in age-matched, non-atopic subjects (controls). The serum levels of total IL-12 and sCD30 were higher in patients than in controls (p=0.003 and p=0.053, respectively). Total IL-12 and sCD30 were also particularly increased in patients with severe disease. Serum levels of total IL-12 were negatively correlated with patient age (p=0.001): they were significantly higher in patients younger than 30 months, as compared to age-matched controls and to older patients and controls. Total IL-12 and sCD30 production were not significantly correlated with disease outcomes (atopic march) or with a family history of atopy. Our data show that total IL-12 levels are strongly associated with Th2 activation and severe disease in children with AD. The increased production of total IL-12 at an early age might indicate a different immune modulation and suggests the possibility of new therapeutic approaches for allergic diseases, in particular AD, early in childhood.
Piancatelli
D
D
C.N.R. Institute for Organ Transplantation and Immunocytology, Piazzale Collemaggio, L'Aquila, Italy. daniela.piancatelli@cnr.it
Bellotta
L
L
Del Beato
T
T
Duse
M
M
Della Penna
M R
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000378:metabolism*; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D012882:Skin Tests; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007073:Immunoglobulin E