title: Inflammatory and Immunological parameters in adults with Down syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increase in life expectancy within the general population has resulted in an increasing number of elderly adults, including patients with Down syndrome (DS), with a current life expectancy of about 50 years. We evaluate the parameters of humoral and cellular immune response, the quantitative expression of the regulator of calcineurin1 gene (RCAN1) and the production of cytokines. The study group consisted of adults DS (n = 24) and a control group with intellectual disability without Down syndrome (ID) (n = 21) and living in a similar environmental background. It was evaluated serology, immunophenotyping, the quantitative gene expression of RCAN1 and the production of cytokines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the DS group, the results showed an increase in NK cells, CD8, decreased CD19 (p < 0.05) and an increase spontaneous production of IFNgamma, TNFalpha and IL-10 (p < 0.05). There was not any difference in RCAN1 gene expression between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest a similar humoral response in the two groups. The immunophenotyping suggests sign of premature aging of the immune system and the cytokine production show a proinflammatory profile.
authors.affiliation: Heart Institute University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo. mbfortunato1@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Bf
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Trotta
authors.forename: João B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Serro Azul
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wajngarten
authors.forename: Simone G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Anna C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Jorge E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kalil