Impaired interleukin-2 response of mononuclear cells in Guillain-Barré syndrome

We studied the production of and response to interleukin-2 (IL-2) by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the soluble IL-2 receptor levels in 10 patients with GBS (eight men and two women) aged 23-67 years. The first blood sample was obtained within seven days of the onset of neuropathic symptoms, and blood samples were collected serially after treatment with plasma exchange. PBMC from GBS patients were found to produce little IL-2 and to have a low response to IL-2 soon after the onset, but marked improvement was seen within one month, concomitantly with improvement of neuropathic symptoms. Serum soluble IL-2 receptor levels were increased at the onset, but gradually decreased thereafter. Our findings suggest that primary immune response in acute-stage GBS may be downregulated via a decrease in the function of PBMC that had previously been activated by interacting with the antigen.