title: CD8(+) T cells producing IL-3 and IL-5 in non-IgE-mediated eosinophilic diseases.
abstract: The cytokines IL-5, IL-3, and GM-CSF are crucial for eosinophil development, survival, and function. To better understand their role in non-IgE-mediated eosinophilic diseases, we investigated plasma levels of these cytokines as well as cytokine expression in peripheral blood T cells. While we did not find any evidence for an involvement of T-cell-derived GM-CSF, some of these patients did show an increased proportion of IL-5- or IL-3-producing CD4(+) T cells. However, in a significant proportion of patients, IL-5-producing CD8(+) T cells, so-called Tc2 cells, which in healthy donors can only be detected at very low levels, were prominent. Furthermore, increased IL-3 production by CD8(+) T cells was also observed, strongly supporting the notion that CD8(+) T cells, not just CD4(+) T cells, must also be considered as a potential source of the cytokines promoting eosinophilia.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stoeckle
authors.forename: H-U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D007377:Interleukin-3; D015848:Interleukin-5; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: IL‐3; IL‐5; T cells; eosinophils; non‐IgE