title: Circulating Th2 memory cells in IgG4-related disease are restricted to a defined subset of subjects with atopy.
abstract: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate composed of IgG4(+) plasma cells, tumefactive lesions, obliterative phlebitis, and mild to moderate eosinophilia. It has been suggested that IgG4-RD is characterized by allergic manifestations and is potentially driven by enhanced T-helper type 2 (Th2) responses. We aimed to investigate the potential contribution of atopy to enhanced Th2 responses in IgG4-RD. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 39 patients were isolated and subjected to in vitro mitogenic stimulation with PMA and ionomycin. Following stimulation, gated CD3(+) CD4(+) T cells were analyzed for production of the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Among the 39 patients analyzed, only the 18 patients who had a history of atopy showed increases in circulating Th2 memory cells. Our results indicate that Th2 responses that have been reported in IgG4-RD may result from concomitant atopic manifestations in disease subjects.
authors.affiliation: Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mattoo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Della-Torre
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pillai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: IgG4-RD; Th2 response; allergy; atopy