title: Effect of malnutrition on the expression of cytokines  involved in Th1 cell differentiation.
abstract: Malnutrition is a common cause of secondary immune deficiency and has been linked to an increased susceptibility to infection in humans. Malnutrition specifically affects T-cell-mediated immune responses. The aim of this study was to assess in lymphocytes from malnourished children the expression levels of IL-12, IL-18 and IL-21, molecules that induce the differentiation of T cells related to the immunological cellular response (Th1 response) and the production of cytokines related to the immunological cellular response (Th1 cytokines). We found that the expression levels of IL-12, IL-18 and IL-21 were significantly diminished in malnourished children compared to well-nourished children and were coincident with lower plasmatic levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ (Th1 cytokines). In this study, we show for the first time that the gene expression and intracellular production of cytokines responsible for Th1 cell differentiation (IL-12, IL-18 and IL-21) are diminished in malnourished children. As expected, this finding was related to lower plasmatic levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ. The decreased expression of Th1 cytokines observed in this study may contribute to the deterioration of the immunological Type 1 (cellular) response. We hypothesize that the decreased production of IL-12, IL-18 and IL-21 in malnourished children contributes to their inability to eradicate infections.
authors: Department of Health Sciences, Autonomus Metropolitan University-Iztapalapa, México DF, Mexico. mcgt@xanum.uam.mx
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: González-Torres
authors: Haydeé
authors: H
authors: González-Martínez
authors: Angel
authors: A
authors: Miliar
authors: Oralia
authors: O
authors: Nájera
authors: Jaime
authors: J
authors: Graniel
authors: Verónica
authors: V
authors: Firo
authors: Catalina
authors: C
authors: Alvarez
authors: Edmundo
authors: E
authors: Bonilla
authors: Leonor
authors: L
authors: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D020382:Interleukin-18; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007378:Interleukins; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000098546:Interleukin-21