IL-17 and IFN-γ expression in lymphocytes from patients with active tuberculosis correlates with the severity of the disease

Th1 lymphocytes are crucial in the immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nevertheless, IFN-γ alone is not sufficient in the complete eradication of the bacteria, suggesting that other cytokines might be required for pathogen removal. Th17 cells have been associated with M. tuberculosis infection, but the role of IL-17-producing cells in human TB remains to be understood. Therefore, we investigated the induction and regulation of IFN-γ and IL-17 during the active disease. TB patients were classified as High and Low Responder individuals according to their T cell responses against the antigen, and cytokine expression upon M. tuberculosis stimulation was investigated in peripheral blood and pleural fluid. Afterwards, the potential correlation among the proportions of cytokine-producing cells and clinical parameters was analyzed. In TB patients, M. tuberculosis induced IFN-γ and IL-17, but in comparison with BCG-vaccinated healthy donors, IFN-γ results were reduced significantly, and IL-17 was markedly augmented. Moreover, the main source of IL-17 was represented by CD4(+)IFN-γ(+)IL-17(+) lymphocytes, a Th1/Th17 subset regulated by IFN-γ. Interestingly, the ratio of antigen-expanded CD4(+)IFN-γ(+)IL-17(+) lymphocytes, in peripheral blood and pleural fluid from TB patients, was correlated directly with clinical parameters associated with disease severity. Indeed, the highest proportion of CD4(+)IFN-γ(+)IL-17(+) cells was detected in Low Responder TB patients, individuals displaying severe pulmonary lesions, and longest length of disease evolution. Taken together, the present findings suggest that analysis of the expansion of CD4(+)IFN-γ(+)IL-17(+) T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of TB patients might be used as an indicator of the clinical outcome in active TB.     

ESAT-6,CFP-10诱导的活动期肺结核患者PBMCs细胞因子的特点

目的研究活动期肺结核病人和结核分枝杆菌ElISpot阳性健康体检者(结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染者)外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)经结核分枝杆菌特异性抗原肽(ESAT-6,CFP-10)刺激后Th1、Th2、Th17和Treg细胞代表性细胞因子IFN-γ、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10、IL-17、TGF-β的表达特点及意义。方法 24例初治活动期肺结核患者和25位结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染者,分离外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs),用ESAT-6,CFP-10肽库刺激PBMCs,采用FlowCytomix流式技术检测细胞培养液上清中细胞因子IFN-γ、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10、IL-17、TGF-β的表达。结果 PBMCs经结核分枝杆菌特异性抗原肽刺激后,IL-17反应低下,而IFN-γ、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10和TGF-β均因刺激而升高,但只有IFN-γ和TNF-α的水平在2组中具有显著性差异(P=0.013,P=0.006)。结论Th1细胞因子可能在结核病免疫病理中发挥更大的作用。     

流式微球阵列法检测肺结核患者血清部分细胞因子的临床意义

目的:探讨流式微球阵列法(CBA)检测不同类型肺结核患者血清中细胞因子IL-2、IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α和IFN-γ水平的临床意义。方法:采用BD CBA Flex Set检测试剂盒和流式微球阵列法(CBA)检测84例肺结核患者(46例活动性肺结核患者及38例非活动性肺结核患者)和30例正常人的6种细胞因子(IL-2、IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α、IFN-γ)的水平。结果:肺结核患者血清IL-2、IL-6、IL-10和IFN-γ的水平显著高于正常对照组(P<0.01或P<0.05),且活动性结核组高于非活动性结核组(P<0.01或P<0.05)。血清IL-4与TNF-α水平肺结核患者与正常对照组无显著性差异。结论:CBA法能快速、灵敏、多参数批量同步定量检测血清中6种细胞因子;这些细胞因子在肺结核的免疫发病中具有重要的意义。     

Progression of clinical tuberculosis is associated with a Th2 immune response signature in combination with elevated levels of SOCS3

In this study, we explored the local cytokine/chemokine profiles in patients with active pulmonary or pleural tuberculosis (TB) using multiplex protein analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage and pleural fluid samples. Despite increased pro-inflammation compared to the uninfected controls; there was no up-regulation of IFN-γ or the T cell chemoattractant CCL5 in the lung of patients with pulmonary TB. Instead, elevated levels of IL-4 and CCL4 were associated with high mycobacteria-specific IgG titres as well as SOCS3 (suppressors of cytokine signaling) mRNA and progression of moderate-to-severe disease. Contrary, IL-4, CCL4 and SOCS3 remained low in patients with extrapulmonary pleural TB, while IFN-γ, CCL5 and SOCS1 were up-regulated. Both SOCS molecules were induced in human macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. The Th2 immune response signature found in patients with progressive pulmonary TB could result from inappropriate cytokine/chemokine responses and excessive SOCS3 expression that may represent potential targets for clinical TB management.     

不明原因习惯性流产患者主动免疫治疗前后Th1/Th2型细胞因子水平的变化

为探讨主动免疫治疗对不明原因习惯性流产 (UHA )患者Th1/Th2型细胞因子水平的影响。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测15例正常非妊娠妇女、 35例UHA患者淋巴细胞主动免疫治疗前后经滋养细胞抗原刺激的外周血单个核细胞 (PBMC )培养上清液中IL 2、IFN γ、IL 4、IL 10的水平。结果发现 :(1)在最佳诱导时间下 ,UHA组治疗前PBMC产生IL 2、IFN γ的水平明显高于正常对照组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,IL 4、IL 10水平明显低于正常对照组 (P <0 0 5 )。UHA组治疗后PBMC产生IL 2、IFN γ的水平较治疗前明显降低 (P <0 0 5 ) ,IL 4、IL 10水平较治疗前明显升高 (P <0 0 5 )。UHA组治疗后PBMC产生各细胞因子的水平与正常对照组比较 ,差异均无显著性 (P >0 0 5 ) ;(2 )UHA组 35例患者主动免疫治疗后半年内 2 8例妊娠 ,其中 9例又出现自然流产。 9例自然流产者治疗后IL 2、IFN γ水平未明显下降 ,IL 10水平未明显上升。 19例妊娠成功者治疗后IL 2、IFN γ水平较治疗前明显下降 (P <0 0 5 ) ,IL 4、IL 10水平明显上升 (P <0 0 5 )。以上结果表明UHA患者对滋养细胞抗原产生以Th1型反应为主的免疫应答 ,产生大量Th1型细胞因子 ,主动免疫治疗有助于上调Th2型细胞因子及下调Th1型细胞因子 ,利于UHA患者妊娠成功。     

CCK-8对KLH免疫小鼠脾细胞Th1/Th2平衡的影响

目的： 探讨八肽胆囊收缩素（CCK-8）对Th1/Th2平衡的调节作用。方法: 给予BALB/c小鼠钥孔戚血蓝蛋白（KLH）免疫同时体内给予不同剂量的CCK-8,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测其脾细胞培养上清中Th1型细胞因子γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-2（IL-2）和Th2型细胞因子白细胞介素-4（IL-4）、白细胞介素-5（IL-5）水平,逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)法检测脾细胞中IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-5 mRNA表达;ELISA法检测血清中Th1型抗KLH抗体IgG2a和Th2型抗KLH抗体IgG1水平。结果: ①KLH免疫使小鼠脾细胞分泌Th1/Th2型细胞因子水平明显增高,mRNA表达增高,KLH免疫同时给予CCK-8可使脾细胞培养上清中IFN-γ、IL-2含量进一步增加和IFN-γ、IL-2mRNA表达增高,而使IL-4、IL-5含量降低,IL-4、IL-5 mRNA表达减低和降低IL-4/IFN-γ比值。②KLH免疫小鼠血清中IgG2a、IgG1发生不同程度增高,CCK-8可使其血清中IgG1水平减低而使IgG2a水平增高。结论: CCK-8可促进KLH免疫小鼠体内Th1反应,使Th2优势反应向Th1方向转变。     

Interferon-gamma +874 T/A and interleukin-10 -1082 A/G single nucleotide polymorphism in Egyptian children with tuberculosis

The aim was to investigate the association of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) +874 T/A and interleukin-10 (IL-10)-1082 A/G single nucleotide polymorphisms with tuberculous infection and post-BCG lymphadenitis in Egyptian children. IFN-γ +874 T/A and IL-10 -1082 A/G polymorphism detection by amplification refractory mutation system technique was carried out for 110 patients with TB, 40 patients with post-BCG lymphadenitis and 118 healthy controls. IFN-γ +874 A allele was higher in TB and post-BCG patients than those in healthy controls (Pc=0.006 and 0.002, respectively). IFN-γ +874 genotype AA was significantly higher in patients with TB than that in control (Pc=0.015), in extrapulmonary than patients with pulmonary TB (PTB) (Pc=0.009), and young children with TB below 5 years (Pc=0.024). No statistically significant differences were observed between patients with TB and controls for the frequency of IL-10(-1082) alleles or genotypes (P>0.05); however, a statistically significant difference in the frequency of IL-10 (-1082) GG genotype was found between patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB (Pc=0.003). Low producer IFN-γ +874 A/A genotype is associated with post-BCG lymphadenitis and TB disease especially in younger children below 5 years. IL-10-1082 G/G genotype did not exhibit significant association except for increased GG frequency in PTB. Both cytokine polymorphisms have no relation to tuberculin reaction in patients with TB.     

Favorable response of chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura to mesenchymal stem cells

Seven patients with chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) received adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSC) from haplo-identical family donors. The AMSC dose was 2.0×10(6)/kg. No side effects were noted after the AMSC infusions. Overall responses were reached in all patients and sustained response rate was 57.1% (4/7). The serum levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 were significantly elevated, whereas those of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-2 were significantly decreased after AMSC administration, compared with those in the patients with active ITP. During follow-up, the cytokine profiles in patients maintaining sustained response remained stable compared with the post-treatment level, but IFN-γ and IL-2 levels were significantly increased, and those of TGF-β1, IL-4, and IL-10 were significantly reduced again in relapsed patients. AMSC therapy seems to represent reasonable salvage treatment in severe, chronic refractory ITP by causing a shift in the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance to the same levels as normal controls.     

Serum IL-33 levels are associated with liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis B

This aim of this study was to assess the potential role of IL-33 in the pathogenic process of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The levels of serum IL-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) in CHB patients and healthy controls (HC) were determined using enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay, and the Th1 (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) cytokines by cytometric bead array. It was found that the levels of serum IL-33 in CHB patients were significantly higher than that of HC at the base line, but decreased after treatment with adefovir dipivoxil for 12 weeks. The levels of serum sST2, as a decoy receptor of IL-33, were significantly higher in CHB patients than the HC. There was no correlation between the levels of serum sST2 and IL-33. The concentrations of serum Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2) and Th2 (IL-6, IL-10) cytokines in CHB patients significantly increased after treatment compared to the baseline. These results suggest that IL-33 is involved in the pathogenesis of CHB and that adefovir dipivoxil therapy can attenuate the production of IL-33 in patients with CHB.     

Comparison of interferon-γ-, interleukin (IL)-17- and IL-22-expressing CD4 T cells, IL-22-expressing granulocytes and proinflammatory cytokines during latent and active tuberculosis infection

In this study, we investigated the role and expression of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells and Th17 cytokines in human tuberculosis. We show that the basal proportion of interferon (IFN)-γ-, interleukin (IL)-17- and IL-22-expressing CD4(+) T cells and IL-22-expressing granulocytes in peripheral blood were significantly lower in latently infected healthy individuals and active tuberculosis patients compared to healthy controls. In contrast, CD4(+) T cells expressing IL-17, IL-22 and IFN-γ were increased significantly following mycobacterial antigens stimulation in both latent and actively infected patients. Interestingly, proinflammatory IFN-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were increased following antigen stimulation in latent infection. Similarly, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, IL-22 and TNF-α were increased in the serum of latently infected individuals, whereas IL-6 and TNF-α were increased significantly in actively infected patients. Overall, we observed differential induction of IL-17-, IL-22- and IFN-γ-expressing CD4(+) T cells, IL-22-expressing granulocytes and proinflammatory cytokines in circulation and following antigenic stimulation in latent and active tuberculosis.     

Simultaneous measurement of antigen-stimulated interleukin-1 beta and gamma interferon production enhances test sensitivity for the detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle

In order to identify cytokines that may be useful as candidates for inclusion in diagnostic tests for Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle, we compared the levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in whole-blood cultures from tuberculosis (TB) reactor animals or TB-free controls following stimulation with M. bovis-specific antigens (purified protein derivative from M. bovis [PPD-B] or ESAT-6/CFP-10). In addition to IFN-γ responses, the production of IL-1β and TNF-α was also statistically significantly elevated in TB reactor cattle over that in uninfected controls following stimulation with PPD-B or ESAT-6/CFP-10 peptides. Thus, we evaluated whether the use of these two additional readouts could disclose further animals not detected by measuring IFN-γ alone. To this end, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to define diagnostic cutoffs for positivity for TNF-α and IL-1β. These results revealed that for ESAT-6/CFP-10-induced responses, the use of all three readouts (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β) in parallel increased the sensitivity of detection of M. bovis-infected animals by 11% but also resulted in a specificity decrease of 14%. However, applying only IFN-γ and IL-1β in parallel resulted in a 5% increase in sensitivity without the corresponding loss of specificity. The results for PPD-B-induced responses were similar, although the loss of specificity was more pronounced, even when only IFN-γ and IL-1β were used as readout systems. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the use of an additional readout system, such as IL-1β, can potentially complement IFN-γ by increasing overall test sensitivity for the detection of M. bovis infection in cattle.     

IFN-γ-producing Th1-like regulatory T cells may limit acute cellular renal allograft rejection: Paradoxical post-transplantation effects of IFN-γ

PurposeIFN-γ is a protypical proinflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in inflammation and acute graft rejection. Accumulating evidence indicates that IFN-γ can exert previously unexpected immunoregulatory activities. However, little is known about the role of IFN-γ secreted by Th1-like regulatory T cells in human kidney transplantation.MethodsTo determine the function of IFN-γ in acute T cell-mediated renal allograft rejection (ACR), we examined serum cytokine expression profiles in ACR patients by human cytokine multiplex immunoassay and analyzed the cellular origins of IFN-γ in peripheral blood and renal allograft biopsies from ACR cases and controls by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, respectively.ResultsThe results showed significant reduction in serum concentrations of Th1-inducing cytokines IL-12p70 and IFN-γ as well as Th2-related cytokine IL-4 in ACR patients compared with stable controls. However, levels of several Th1-, Th2- and Th17-related cytokines, such as IL-2, TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-12 (p40), IL-10, IL-15, IL-17, IL-21, and IL-23, as well as the frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cell, did not differ between ACR cases and stable controls. Moreover, we found the levels of IFN-γ were correlated with those of the anti-inflammatory factor, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in ACR. Notably, the Th1-like Treg cell-to-Foxp3⁻ Th1 cell ratio was significantly lower in ACR patients compared with that in stable controls. In graft biopsies from ACR patients, Treg cells and Th1-like Treg cells were less abundant than those without ACR.ConclusionsOur study indicates that IFN-γ secreted from Th1-like Treg cells negatively modulates ACR.     

Suppressed type 1, type 2, and type 17 cytokine responses in active tuberculosis in children

Type 1 cytokine responses are known to play an important role in immunity to tuberculosis (TB) in children, although little is known about other factors that might be important. In addition, children are more prone to developing extrapulmonary manifestations of TB than adults. To identify the immune responses important both in control of infection and in extrapulmonary dissemination, we examined mycobacterium-specific cytokine responses of children with pulmonary TB (PTB) and extrapulmonary TB (ETB) and compared them with those of healthy control children (HC). No significant differences were found in the cytokine responses either with no stimulation or following mycobacterial-antigen (Ag) stimulation between children with PTB and ETB. On the other hand, children with active TB compared with HC showed markedly diminished production of type 1 (gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]), 2 (interleukin 4 [IL-4] and IL-13), and 17 (IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-23)-associated cytokines with no stimulation and in response to mycobacterial antigens. This was not associated with significantly altered production of IL-10 or transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Among children with ETB, those with neurologic involvement exhibited more significantly diminished Ag-driven IFN-γ and IL-17 production. Pediatric TB is characterized by diminished type 1, 2, and 17 cytokine responses, with the most profound diminution favoring development of neurologic TB, suggesting a crucial role for these cytokines in protection against pediatric tuberculosis.     

活动性结核病患者外周血单个核细胞中结核分枝杆菌抗原特异性多能CD4+和CD8+T淋巴细胞的特征研究

目的 研究活动性结核病患者外周血单个核细胞中结核分枝杆菌抗原特异性多能T淋巴细胞细胞因子的分泌特征.方法 利用γ干扰素释放试验和多色流式细胞术分析了13例活动性结核病患者、11例肺部感染性/肿瘤疾病患者以及14例健康对照者外周血中结核分枝杆菌抗原特异性(ESAT-6和CFP-10)CD4+Th1和CD8+Tc淋巴细胞表达细胞因子IFN-γ、TNF-α和IL-2的情况.结果 与肺部感染性/肿瘤疾病组和健康对照组相比:(1)活动性结核病组具有较低比例的分泌TNF-α+的CD4+Th1细胞、较高比例的分泌IFN-γ+和IFN-γ+TNF-α+IL-2+的CD4+Th1细胞;(2)活动性结核病组具有较高比例的分泌IFN-γ+TNF-α+IL-2+的CD8+Tc细胞.结论 实验结果提示活动性结核病患者中表达IFN-γ+TNF-α+IL-2+的多能CD4+Th1及CD8+Tc细胞,可能在区别活动性结核病与肺部感染性/肿瘤疾病方面具有一定的临床参考价值.     

Increased expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1): A mechanism for dysregulated T helper-1 responses in HIV-1 disease

Maintenance of Th1 responses and dendritic cell (DC) functions are compromised in HIV-1 infected individuals. To better understand these immune abnormalities, we developed an HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat. We report that Tg DCs induce elevated levels of SOCS-1 and secrete decreased IL-12p40 and elevated levels of IL-10 following TLR-4 stimulation by LPS. This leads to further induction of SOCS-1 by IL-10 and decreased IFN-γ-mediated induction of interferon response factor (IRF)-1 and IL-12Rβ1 expression in CD4+ T cells and to decreased IL-12-induction of IFN-γ production by Th1 polarized T cells. We also show that SOCS-1 is elevated in CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 infected progressors, and is correlated with defective induction of IRF-1 following IFN-γ stimulation, compared with healthy controls and HIV-1 natural viral suppressor (NVS) patients. These results suggest a link between high levels of SOCS-1, defects in innate immunity and adaptive Th1 responses that may be reflected in the loss of Th1 immune competence observed with AIDS patients.     

晚期卵巢浆液性腺癌患者术前血清细胞因子水平与预后的关系

目的 探讨晚期卵巢浆液性腺癌患者术前血清中6种细胞因子水平与临床病理因素及预后的关系.方法 用流式细胞微球阵列术检测51例晚期卵巢癌患者及46例健康女性(对照组)血清中干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素(IL)-2、IL-4、IL-5、IL-10的表达水平.结果 卵巢癌患者IFN-γ(20.68±11.45)、IL-2(4.54±1.18)、IL-4(5.66±2.25)、IL-5(2.72±0.86)μg/L及IL-10(5.93±7.92)μg/L高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01或P＜0.05);而TNF-α(7.53±8.47)低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);卵巢癌患者的IFN-γ/IL-4比值(3.93±2.34)低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).Kaplan-Meier生存分析结果表明年龄(P=0.016)、绝经状态(P=0.001)、IL-10水平(P=0.010)与患者生存状态明显相关;Cox回归分析显示,IL-2(P=0.045)和IL-10(P=0.007)是影响预后的独立因素,不受其他细胞因子以及临床参数诸如临床分期、分化程度、年龄、是否淋巴结转移、体质量指数、是否绝经、发病部位等的影响.结论 晚期卵巢癌患者机体出现辅助性T细胞(Th)1/Th2失衡和不同程度的免疫机制紊乱.年龄和绝经状态是影响患者生存的重要因素,IL-2和IL-10水平是卵巢癌的独立预后因素.     

Elevated Serum Levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ in Patients with Acute Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

Serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were determined in 37 patients with acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Bangkok, Thailand. Serum levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ were markedly elevated in patients with malaria prior to treatment (717 ± 260 pg/ml versus 2.2 ± 1.3 pg/ml in healthy controls; 123 ± 71 pg/ml versus 29 ± 9 pg/ml, respectively; mean ± SD). Serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 dropped significantly during treatment and were normal 14 and 21 days, respectively, after treatment was started. Prior to therapy a correlation between serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 existed (r = 0.563). These results suggest that stimulatory and inhibitory cytokines for macrophage activation and/or antibody production (i.e., TH1- and TH2-type immunoreaction, respectively) are coexpressed during acute P. falciparum infection and stress the multifactorial network between host and parasite in malaria immunology.     

Sustained high levels of serum interferon-γ during HIV-1 infection: a specific trend different from other cytokines

The expression levels of various cytokines increase with the progression of HIV-1 infection. However, the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on serum cytokine levels have not been fully determined. In this study we measured serum cytokine levels of 35 HIV-1-infected Japanese adults. We first performed a cross-sectional study and observed that TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, and IL-7 levels all showed significant increases in those with advanced disease, and that this had a significant negative correlation with the CD4 cell count. However, IFN-γ levels did not show this relationship. A longitudinal study in 18 HIV-1-infected patients with a CD4 cell count <350/μL revealed that the introduction of ART reduced cytokine levels. Significant reductions of IL-7, IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-18 levels were observed on days 30, 60, 90, and 90 after the initiation of ART, respectively. These results indicate a discrepancy between cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of serum levels of IFN-γ. To clarify this, we investigated serum IFN-γ levels in each patient. In 5 of the 15 patients IFN-γ levels did not decrease, even after ART initiation, and remained at 5?pg/mL or higher on day 120 after ART initiation. Higher IFN-γ levels (>5?pg/mL) were also observed in 2 of 7 asymptomatic patients, and 2 of 11 patients who underwent ART for 1 year or longer. These data demonstrate that IFN-γ levels in some patients increased and remained high even after the initiation of ART, which was a specific observation different from those of the other cytokines.     

Flow cytometric determination of cytokines in activated murine T helper lymphocytes: Expression of interleukin-10 in interferon-γ and in interleukin-4-expressing cells

In an immune response, effector functions are controlled by T helper (Th) 1 cytokines [interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-2 and tumor necrosis factor-β] and Th 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10). Here we analyze by multiparameter immunofluorescence to what extent IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ are co-expressed in individual normal murine Th cells upon activation in vitro with the bacterial superantigen Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B, presented in the context of major histocompatibility complex class II. IL-2 and IFN-γ are co-expressed by some, but not by other Th cells. Expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ is exclusive. IL-10 is co-expressed in individual cells either with IL-4 or with IFN-γ. No IL-5-expressing cells are detected. While IL-10- and IL-4-co-expressing Th cells correspond to classical Th 2 cells, cells co-expressing IL-10 and IFN-γ could be involved in negative-feedback regulation of a Th 1 response. Apart from such functional implications, our results show that IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ are expressed independently of each other in individual murine Th cells.