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Allergen challenge alters intracellular cytokine expression
1Department of Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology
|August 17, 2005
Summary
Allergen challenge in asthma patients affects circulating T-helper cells. Dual responders show distinct changes in interferon-gamma+CD4+ cells, suggesting a role in asthma pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma pathophysiology involves complex cytokine network interactions.
- Understanding the role of circulating lymphocytes in asthma responses is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of bronchial allergen challenge on the cytokine profile of circulating lymphocytes in allergic asthma patients.
- To compare cytokine profiles between single and dual responders after allergen provocation.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood samples collected from 10 allergic asthma patients before and 24 hours after allergen challenge.
- Intracellular interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) detected in CD4+ and CD8+ cells via flow cytometry after mitogen stimulation.
- Patients classified as single or dual responders based on late-phase reaction.
Main Results:
- Allergen challenge decreased IL-4+CD4+ cells in all patients (P=0.05).
- A significant decrease in IFN-gamma+CD4+ cells was observed in single responders but not dual responders (P<0.05).
- Significant differences in IFN-gamma+CD4+ cell changes were noted between dual and single responders (P<0.01). No changes in CD8+ cells.
Conclusions:
- Data suggest lymphocyte traffic (IFN-gamma and IL-4+CD4+) into the bronchial mucosa post-allergen challenge.
- A potential difference in this traffic exists between single and dual responders.
- Reduced capacity of CD4+IFN-gamma-producing cells may contribute to the pathophysiology in dual responders by downregulating T-helper type 2 responses.