T cells from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome produce interferon-gamma in response to stimulation with the ganglioside GM1.
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acquired demyelinating neuropathy, characterized by infiltration of peripheral nerves with macrophages and T cells. There have been reports of antibodies to glycolipids in GBS. We have previously found T cell reactivity to glycolipids in patients with the demyelinating form of GBS. This study was performed to characterize the cytokines produced by these T cells. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with GBS, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, healthy control patients and other neuropathies were incubated with the ganglioside GM1 and transferred to enzyme-linked immunospot plates. The average number per well of spot-forming cells (SFC) in the absence of antigen was counted. The average spontaneous SFC number was subtracted from the average SFC number in the presence of GM1, to produce a corrected SFC. There was significantly increased production of interferon-gamma but not interleukin-5 in response to stimulation with the ganglioside GM1. This could indicate that SFC have a role in pathogenesis of disease.
McCombe
P A
PA
Centre for Clinical Research, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Herston Road, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia. Pamela.McCombe@uq.edu.au
Csurhes
P A
PA
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000276:immunology*; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D015848:Interleukin-5; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside; D007371:Interferon-gamma