Natural killer cells dominate a Th-1 polarized response in Behçet's disease patients with uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology, characterised by recurring relapses and remissions. BD manifestations have been thought to be associated with the immunological abnormalities triggered by environmental factors in genetically susceptible individuals. Natural killer (NK) cells are important members of innate immunity with their cytotoxic activity and also cytokine secretions. They have the capacity to induce or dampen immune responses. Different study groups have reported conflicting results about NK cell activity in the BD pathogenesis, however, contribution of NK cells to BD is still unclear.


METHODS
NK cells from BD patients with uveitis (n=11) as well as age- and gender-matched healthy controls (n=9) were purified and intracytoplasmic cytokine levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-13 were determined.


RESULTS
Increased TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2 in relapse period and increased IL-4 as well as a slight increase of IL-10 in remission period were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that NK cells are the contributors of BD pathogenesis with their NK1 profile in relapse periods, and also with their NK2 profile in remission periods, in BD patients with uveitis. An increase in IL-10 observed in remission periods may be linked to the regulatory potential of NK cells in the recurrent nature of BD manifestations.
Department of Immunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Umut Can
UC
Kucuksezer
Department of Immunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Esin
E
Aktas-Cetin
Department of Immunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Sema
S
Bilgic-Gazioglu
Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ilknur
I
Tugal-Tutkun
Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ahmet
A
Gül
Department of Immunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. gdeniz@istanbul.edu.tr.
Gunnur
G
Deniz
D000328:Adult; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014605:Uveitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators