Association between neopterin in cord blood, urinary neopterin in early childhood and the development of atopic dermatitis, asthma and hay fever.

It is generally accepted that the increased prevalence of atopic disease is due to a disturbed balance of T-helper (Th)1/Th2-type immunity. Upon stimulation by the Th1-type cytokine interferon (IFN)-gamma, human monocytes/macrophages release large amounts of neopterin. Thus, the determination of neopterin concentrations is an indirect measure of the levels of IFN-gamma and allows us to monitor Th1-type immune response. We evaluated whether neopterin concentrations in the neonatal cord blood could be a valuable marker predicting atopic disease in early childhood and whether there is a difference in actually determined urinary neopterin concentrations in children with and without atopic disease. Five hundred and five children born during 1997-1999 were enrolled, with cord blood neopterin data available at birth. The International study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of wheezy bronchitis (asthma), atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Morning urinary samples were collected and urinary neopterin concentration was measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. By the average age of 6 yr, the prevalence of atopic disease in the last 12 months was 31%. There was no significant correlation between cord blood and urinary neopterin concentrations at age 6 yr, and between cord blood neopterin and later atopic disease. Urinary neopterin concentrations were significant lower in children with a family history of atopic disease (p = 0.02). In this study, cord blood neopterin concentration was not a predictor for atopic disease in early childhood. Family history of atopic disease was associated with lower urinary neopterin levels at age 6 yr, which might mirror a Th1/Th2 imbalance.     

基于过敏性疾病和健康儿童的淋巴细胞精细分型病例对照研究

背景：过敏性疾病的诊断缺乏明确的检测标准,主要依赖于病史,在无过敏原刺激情况下则无临床症状,诊断更加困难,寻找辅助诊断过敏标志物显得非常重要。 目的：检测过敏儿童淋巴细胞精细分型特征,期望对过敏性疾病的诊断提供新的标志物。 设计：病例对照研究。 方法：选择食物和呼吸道过敏儿童作为过敏性疾病组,选择与过敏性疾病组同时期在医院健康体检正常、性别和年龄匹配的儿童为健康对照组。采用流式细胞术分析对其淋巴细胞精细分型进行检测。 主要结局指标：淋巴细胞精细分型。 结果：过敏性疾病组30例,平均年龄3.6（0.7~10.6）岁;健康对照组27名,平均年龄4.1 (0.8~11) 岁。两组年龄、性别差异无统计学意义（P分别为0.616和0.574）。T淋巴细胞精细分型：Th2细胞占效应辅助性T细胞比例和Th2/Th1比值过敏性疾病组高于健康对照组［（31.34±2.52）% vs (20.02±2.05)%,（6.86±1.51） vs (2.73±0.35)］,差异均有统计学意义。B淋巴细胞精细分型：成熟B细胞比例及绝对计数、浆母细胞绝对计数、IgE+浆母细胞比例、IgE+记忆B细胞比例,过敏性疾病组均高于健康对照组［(11.53±1.22) % vs (6.02±0.52）%,(1 068±107.3)个/μL vs (578.74±58.49）个/μL ,(40.71±6.44) 个/μL vs ( 17.08±2.93)个/μL ,(8.21±1.33) % vs (1.64±0.53）%,(4.48±0.81) % vs (0.47±0.18）%。 结论：过敏儿童Th2细胞、IgE+浆母细胞和记忆B细胞比例增高,有潜力作为辅助诊断过敏性疾病的标志物。     

1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 inhibits not only Th1 but also Th2 differentiation in human cord blood T cells

Human naive CD4+ T helper (Th) and CD8+ cytotoxic (Tc) T cells, which only produce IL-2, may differentiate into Th1/Tc1- or Th2/Tc2-like lymphocytes, characterized by their cytokine production profile. 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha, 25(OH)2D3) has been reported to inhibit Th1/Tc1-related, but increase Th2/Tc2-associated cytokines in T cells from adults. In industrialized countries, vitamin D supplementation for prevention of rickets is initiated within the first days of life and continued throughout the entire first year. Epidemiologic studies suggest an association of vitamin D exposure in newborns with the incidence of allergic diseases in later life. This study addresses the effects of 1 alpha, 25(OH)2D3 on Th1/Tc1 versus Th2/Tc2 differentiation in long term cell cultures of (naive) cord blood T lymphocytes. Our results show that in CD4+ as well as CD8+ cord blood cells, 1 alpha, 25(OH)2D3 inhibits not only IL-12-generated IFN-gamma production, but also suppresses IL-4 and IL-13 expression induced by IL-4. Thus, in cord blood 1 alpha, 25(OH)2D3 induces a T cell population without predominance of Th2 related cytokines.     

Soluble CD30 and CD23 in cord blood are not related to atopy in early childhood

Atopic disease, including atopic dermatitis (AD), is associated with a T-helper 2 (Th2)-dependent immune response. The cytokine receptor CD30 appears to be preferentially expressed on, and its soluble form (sCD30) released by, Th2 cells. Therefore, sCD30 may be a potential marker for atopic disorders. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the sCD30 level in cord blood could be used to predict the development of atopy or AD in early childhood. In a case-control study, levels of sCD30, as well as soluble low-affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor (sCD23), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IgE, were measured in cord blood in 35 children who subsequently developed allergic sensitization and AD before the age of three, and the results were compared to those of 35 matched children without a history of atopy. There was no difference in cord blood levels of sCD30 between controls (32.5 U/ml; 19.7–80.1) and children with subsequent atopy and AD (32.2 U/ml; 22–75.9) (median; quartiles). The concentration of sCD30 showed no relation to the levels of total IgE, sCD23 or IL-4. Levels of sCD23 were similar in children with subsequent atopy (60.2 U/ml; 44.5–76.8) and controls (55.2 U/ml; 38.3–72.5), whereas IL-4 was detectable in 10 of the atopic children and in only two of the controls (p < 0.05). In conclusion, cord blood levels of sCD30 or sCD23 do not seem to be related to the subsequent development of atopy or AD at the age of three.     

Intracellular production of IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, and TNF-α by peripheral blood CD3+ and CD4+ T cells in children with atopic dermatitis

The role of the type-2 T helper (Th2) cell-mediated immune response in the immunopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) is well documented. Whether polarized immunoresponse is confined to antigen-specific T cells or is distributed among all T cell subsets is still controversial. We investigated frequencies of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) producing CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells in peripheral blood from children with atopic dermatitis and healthy subjects with and without in vitro stimulation. Children with severe AD had a significantly lower percentage of CD4⁺ T cells spontaneously expressing IL-4 compared with healthy controls (p <0.01). Polyclonal stimulation significantly increased cytokine production in both AD patients and healthy individuals. Frequencies of CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ producing IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, and TNF-α after in vitro stimulation with phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) + ionomycin were comparable in the AD and control groups. In response to PMA/ionomycin, children with AD and asthma symptoms had a significantly lower percentage of CD3⁺ T cells producing TNF-α. We failed to demonstrate evidence of an imbalance with respect to type-2 cytokine productions in children with AD. Comparable induction of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in polyclonally stimulated peripheral CD3⁺ and CD4⁺T cells from AD patients and controls puts into question the polarized Th2 immune response as a general characteristic of T cells in children with atopic dermatitis.     

Relation between stressful life events,neuropeptides and cytokines: results from the LISA birth cohort study

Stressful life events evidently have an impact on development of allergic diseases, but the mechanism linking stress to pathological changes of immune system function is still not fully understood. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between stressful life events, neuropeptide and cytokine concentrations in children. Within the LISAplus (Life style-Immune system-Allergy) study, blood samples from children of 6 yr of age were analysed for concentration of the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM), substance P (SP) and the Th1/Th2 cytokines interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-4. Life events such as severe disease or death of a family member, unemployment or divorce of the parents were assessed with a questionnaire filled in by the parents. For 234 children, blood analysis and questionnaire data regarding life events were available. Children with separated/divorced parents showed high VIP levels and high concentrations of the Th2 cytokine IL-4 in their blood. Severe diseases and death of a family member were neither associated with neuropeptide levels nor with cytokine concentrations. Unemployment of the parents was associated with decreased IFN-γ concentrations in children’s blood but not with neuropeptide levels, whereas children experiencing concomitant severe disease and death of a family member had reduced SP blood levels. The neuropeptide VIP might be a mediator between stressful life events and immune regulation contributing to the Th2 shifted immune response in children with separated/divorced parents. Unemployment of the parents was associated with immune regulation in children on the basis of a still unknown mechanism whereas reduced SP levels seem to have no effect on immune regulation.     

Obesity and the prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren

Although the association between obesity and bronchial asthma (BA) has been gaining more attention, few studies have been conducted concerning the relationship between obesity and other allergic diseases. The objective of this study was to determine whether and how childhood obesity is associated with allergic diseases other than BA, such as atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), and either AR or AC (AR/AC). A questionnaire was administered to the parents of 50,086 Japanese schoolchildren. Associations between childhood obesity and the various allergic diseases were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic models. Significant associations were found between higher body mass index (BMI) and AD (p = 0.03), and lower BMI and AC (p < 0.0001), and AR/AC (p < 0.0001). There was a significantly higher prevalence of BA in girls with obesity (p = 0.009) than in those without obesity. Significantly lower prevalence of AC (p = 0.01) and AR/AC (p = 0.002) among children with obesity, and AR (p = 0.04) and AR/AC (p = 0.0004) among boys with obesity were observed than those without obesity. Those who were obese and had AD were significantly more likely to have severe symptoms (p = 0.01). Overall, childhood obesity has positive associations with BA prevalence and AD severity, whereas it has negative associations with AR and AC prevalence, especially among boys. Changes in the immunologic balance accompanied by obesity might have different effects on each type of allergic disease. Exploring the mechanisms by which childhood obesity affects allergic status should lead to new management options for childhood allergy.     

哮喘儿童细胞因子信号转导抑制因子mRNA表达与Th1/Th2的关系

目的：细胞因子信号转导抑制因子(SOCS)对JAK-STAT途径的细胞因子如白介素、干扰素等的调节起重要作用,目前SOCS与哮喘的关系仍在研究中。本研究观察SOCS1和SOCS3 mRNA在哮喘儿童外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）中的表达水平与CD4+ T细胞IFN-γ/IL-4平衡及特异性IgE（sIgE）的关系。方法：采集44例4~14岁过敏性哮喘患儿及30例健康儿童PBMC,分别用流式细胞仪分析CD4+ T细胞IFN-γ/IL-4比值,另提取总RNA,采用SYBR Green I逆转录荧光定量PCR的方法检测每组SOCS1和SOCS3 mRNA的表达。结果：哮喘组患儿外周血IFN-γ阳性的CD4+T细胞百分比［（15.7±2.0）%］及IFN-γ/IL-4比值（3.4±1.5）均低于对照组［分别为（19.1±2.7)%、4.8±2.9］;而SOCS1 mRNA（⊿Ct值11.1±1.9）表达显著高于对照组（⊿Ct值12.6±2.8）。两组儿童SOCS1 mRNA表达均与外周血分泌IFN-γ的CD4+ T细胞百分比呈负相关（P<0.05）。SOCS1和SOCS3与sIgE均无相关性。结论：SOCS1 mRNA在哮喘组患儿外周血中高表达,并与Th2占优势的免疫失衡有关。     

Th2抑制剂在儿童过敏免疫性疾病中的应用

基于Th2细胞因子在过敏性疾病中的作用，Th2抑制剂已被认为可应用于儿童过敏性哮喘和变应性鼻炎针对靶点的药物治疗。甲磺司特是一种新型选择性Th2细胞因子抑制剂，能选择性抑制Th细胞、减少炎症介质的产生，改善过敏性疾病的症状。在日本制定的儿童支气管哮喘指南与变应性鼻炎指南中均推荐可应用甲磺司特。甲磺司特是我国首个批准上市的Th2细胞因子抑制剂，2020年成人支气管哮喘防治指南推荐可应用甲磺司特治疗支气管哮喘，但该药在我国的应用尚处于起步阶段。该文就Th2抑制剂甲磺司特在儿童过敏免疫性疾病中的应用作一综述，以促进我国儿童Th2抑制剂的规范使用。     

特发性血小板减少性紫癜患儿Th亚群细胞因子的检测

目的探讨Th亚群细胞因子在儿童特发性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)发病中的变化及作用。方法采用BioPlex系统和悬浮阵列技术通过荧光编码检测43例ITP患儿血清中的Th1型细胞因子TNFα、IFNγ、IL2、GMCSF和Th2相关细胞因子IL4、IL5、IL6、IL10的变化,并与20例正常儿童作对照。结果与正常健康儿童相比,ITP患儿Th1型细胞因子显著升高(P<0.01),而Th2型细胞因子显著降低(P<0.01)。结论儿童ITP发病中存在异常的淋巴细胞极化状态,是一种Th1优势的疾病。     

不同浓度地塞米松和甲泼尼龙对支气管哮喘患儿外周血单个核细胞免疫功能的影响

目的 观察不同浓度地塞米松(DEX)和甲泼尼龙(MP)对支气管哮喘患儿外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中CD4+T淋巴细胞中2个功能性亚群(Th1/Th2)功能状态的影响.方法 选择2001年6月-2002年6月在重庆医科大学附属儿童医院就诊的15例哮喘患儿和14例健康体检儿童为研究对象.分为哮喘对照组、10-7mol·L-1DEX干预组、10-8mol·L-1DEX干预组、10-9mol·L-1DEX干预组、10-7mol·L-1MP干预组、10-8mol·L-1MP干预组、10-9mol·L-1MP干预组.清晨取其空腹静脉血5 mL,肝素抗凝,采用密度梯度离心法分离PBMC,加植物血凝素进行刺激培养,分别用10-7mol·L-1、10-8mol·L-1及10-9mol·L-1DEX或MP体外干预培养48 h.同期采集健康儿童空腹静脉血,同法分离培养.用ELISA法测定培养上清中γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、IL-4、IL-10及IL-12水平,并计算不同浓度DEX或MP对PBMC分泌细胞因子的抑制率.结果 1.哮喘对照组PBMC分泌IL-4水平显著高于健康对照组(P<0.05),IFN-γ/IL-4比值较健康对照组显著降低(P<0.05),2组间IFN-γ、IL-10及IL-12水平比较差异均无统计学意义(Pa>0.05).2.DEX和MP均可明显抑制哮喘患儿PBMC分泌IFN-γ、IL-4及IL-12,但对IL-10抑制作用差;与健康对照组比较,哮喘组DEX和MP抑制PBMC分泌IL-10的作用弱,差异有统计学意义(Pa<0.05).3.DEX和MP均以浓度依赖方式抑制哮喘患儿PBMC分泌IL-4,DEX在10-9mol·L-1时有促进IL-4分泌的效应,MP在10-9mol·L-1时可抑制IL-4的分泌,二组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05). 若以IFN-γ/IL-4表示Th1/Th2间的平衡,则MP可恢复Th1/Th2平衡(P<0.05).结论 DEX和MP均可抑制Th1/Th2类细胞因子分泌,但MP有助于恢复Th1/Th2平衡,提示临床选择MP治疗支气管哮喘更有利.     

Exposure to a high concentration of mite allergen in early infancy is a risk factor for developing atopic dermatitis: A 3-year follow-up study

The cause of allergy is multi-factorial, and the development of an allergic disease seems to be the result of an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The goal for preventing the development of allergic diseases is to avoid sensitization to allergens. The aim of this work was to study whether or not exposure to environmental allergens early in infancy would influence the occurence of various allergic diseases in later life. On an annual basis, a total of 931 healthy newborns were followed-up until they reached 3 years of age. The occurence of allergic diseases was recorded by trained medical students during visits. Measurement of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1) concentration in house dust was performed when each baby was 18 and 36 months old. Total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against Der p 1, cow's milk, and egg white were evaluated at birth and at 18 months of age. The following results were obtained: at 3 years of age, 10.4% had bronchial asthma (BA), 21.4% atopic dermatitis (AD), 7.0% urticaria, and 46.8% had experienced wheezing; higher family allergy scores led to a higher incidence of AD (p=0.0012); exposure to a mite allergen concentration of 1 µg/g of dust may be associated with a higher incidence of AD (p=0.0156); the presence of Der p 1 IgE antibody at 18 months of age was associated with a higher incidence of BA (p=0.0001); and children sensitized to egg whites at 18 months of age had an increased risk of developing AD at 3 years of age (p=0.0187). Hence, early exposure to mite allergen is a risk factor for the development of atopic dermatitis, but seems not to be related to the development of bronchial asthma. Early sensitization to egg whites increases the risk of developing AD. The early detection of serum Der p 1 IgE antibody is associated with a higher incidence of bronchial asthma.     

Fetal growth promotion in allergic children

Several in vitro studies have suggested the presence of Th2-skewed immunity during pregnancy in infants with atopic diseases. Our study indicated that allergic infants showed a higher birth weight and shorter gestational period at birth than those of non-allergic peers. Moreover, allergic mothers gave birth to neonates whose birth weights and gestational ages were higher and shorter than those of the non-allergic mothers, respectively. Thus, our data clearly demonstrated the promotion of intrauterine growth, either in the allergic children, or allergic mothers. Such an intrauterine environment favorable for the fetal growth may also accelerate the development of allergic diseases in their offspring that are most probably caused by the Th2-oriented immunity.     

Serum levels of Th2 chemokines,CCL17, CCL22, and CCL27, were the important markers of severity in infantile atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is considered to be Th2 cell‐mediated disorder. In most infants with AD, AD may be induced by food allergy. In the early stage of infantile AD, it is unclear whether there are changes in serum Th2 chemokines or in Th2 chemokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Thirty‐four patients with AD were examined (mean age, 4.5 months; female:male, 18:16). Ten age‐matched infants with no history of allergic disease were used as controls. Thirty of these 34 patients were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA; radioallergrosolvent score of >2). Serum levels of CCL17, CCL22, and CCL27 were measured with enzyme‐linked immunosolvent assay (ELISA) kits and their correlation with the severity of skin lesions, defined by the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index, was analyzed. The amounts of TNF‐α, CCL17, CCL22, and CCL27 in the culture supernatants of PBMC from OVA‐sensitized AD infants after stimulation with OVA were estimated with ELISA kits. Elevated serum CCL17, CCL22, and CCL27 levels significantly correlated with SCORAD index (r = 0.7181, p < 0.001; r = 0.5354, p < 0.005; r = 0.8312, p < 0.0001, respectively). CCL22 levels produced by PBMC from OVA‐sensitized infants with AD reflected serum CCL22 levels. Only six of 30 OVA‐sensitized patients in whom the skin signs increased immediately after OVA intake showed markedly high titers of TNF‐α produced by PBMC after stimulation with OVA. These high TNF‐α titers correlated significantly with serum CCL27 levels (r = 0.7181, p < 0.001). Serum concentrations of CCL17, CCL22, and CCL27 correlate well with the extent and intensity of AD in infants. Of the three Th2 chemokines examined, serum CCL27 correlated most significantly with the severity of AD. Thus, the peripheral immune responses of infantile AD patients are skewed to a Th2 dominant bias.     

mRNA expression of T-helper 1, T-helper 2 cytokines in autoimmune hepatitis in childhood

Background: In the pathology of autoimmune hepatitis the immunity mechanism of T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells was recently evaluated. The purpose of the present study was to measure the mRNA levels in peripheral mononuclear cells and serum cytokines obtained from children with autoimmune hepatitis for a better understanding of the mechanism.
Methods: Twenty-five patients with autoimmune hepatitis and seven controls were enrolled. mRNA levels in peripheral mononuclear cells and serum cytokines were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoassay.
Results: Serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were rarely detected. In contrast the IFN-γ/β-actin mRNA levels were high.
Conclusion: Autoimmune hepatitis is a Th1-predominant state, therefore immune modulation therapies that target the control of Th1 cytokines should be used.     

调节性T细胞在儿童过敏性紫癜发病机制中的作用初探

目的系统观察过敏性紫癜(HSP)急性期调节性T细胞(Tr)亚群及辅助性T细胞亚群(Th1/Th2)的变化,探讨HSP急性期免疫失衡的发病机制。方法流式细胞术检测20例HSP急性期患儿各种调节性T细胞亚群(CD4+CD25+Tr、Tr1、Th3等)和辅助性T细胞亚群(Th1、Th2)的改变,并采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和荧光定量聚合酶链反应(Real-tim e PCR)检测其外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)Foxp3 mRNA的表达。同期20例同龄健康儿童作为对照。结果HSP急性期CD3+CD8-INF-γ-IL-4+(Th2)细胞显著增高(P<0.05),Th1/Th2比值显著降低(P<0.05)。各调节性T细胞亚群CD4+CD2+5Tr、CD4+IL-4-IL-10+(Tr1)、CD4+TGF-β+(Th3)细胞与正常对照组比较均显著降低(P均<0.05)。HSP组PBMC Foxp3 mRNA的表达与正常对照组比较亦显著降低(0.22±0.05vs.66.32±9.25,P<0.001)。结论HSP急性期存在明显的免疫失衡,Th2优势明显;调节性T细胞CD4+CD2+5Tr、Tr1、Th3数量减少导致的免疫抑制效应不足可能是导致HSP免疫失衡的重要原因,而HSP患儿调节性T细胞减少与Foxp3表达降低有关。     

Inadequate humoral immunogenicity to recombinant hepatitis B virus vaccine in biliary atresia children

This study aimed to investigate the primary immunogenicity and the long-term efficacy of recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine in biliary atresia (BA) children. Fifty BA infants (age, 11 +/- 3.9 mo), and 23 BA patients at childhood (age, 8.5 +/- 0.22 y) were included for the evaluation of HBV surface antibody (anti-HBs) levels after three doses of recombinant HBV vaccine immunization. Age- and gender-matched healthy infants (n = 50) and children (n = 23) were enrolled as the control group. Serum samples of the study populations were collected for HBV seromarkers determination. In the absence of hepatitis B virus core antibody and HBV surface antigen, serum anti-HBs level above 10 IU/L was considered adequate immunogenicity to HBV vaccine. The prevalence of adequate anti-HBs levels after recombinant HBV vaccine in BA infants was significantly lower than those of the controls (p = 0.006). There was no difference in the prevalence between childhood BA patients and their matched controls (p = 0.538). In conclusion, adequate primary humoral immunity after the standard doses of recombinant HBV vaccine in BA infants is hard to establish. However, once immunity is acquired, BA children have adequate anti-HBs titer in the long run.     

Allergic children have more numerous and severe respiratory infections than non-allergic children

Allergic disorders are characterized by Th2-polarization, and hence physiological Th1-dependent mechanisms for fighting respiratory infections (RI) may be defective. This study aimed at evaluating the number and duration of RI in allergic and non-allergic children suffering from recurrent RI. One hundred seventeen children (4.02 +/- 1.0 yr, 72 males and 45 females) were studied during the spring, 46 were allergic. Allergic children showed a significantly higher number (mean 1.26 +/- 0.73) and longer duration of RI (8.92 days) in comparison with non-allergic group (0.94 +/- 1.37 and 4.85 days) (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.009, respectively). In conclusion, this study provides the evidence that allergic children have more numerous and severe RI than non-allergic children.     

Allergen-induced cytokine secretion in atopic and non-atopic asthmatic children

Atopic asthma is characterized by excessive T helper 2 (Th2)-like immunity to allergens in the bronchial mucosa. The Th2-cytokine interleukin (IL)-4 induces IgE production, while the Th2-cytokine IL-5 promotes eosinophilic inflammation in the airways of asthmatics. Most asthmatics are atopic, but a subgroup is non-atopic. We hypothesize that allergen-induced Th2, particularly IL-5, responses can be observed in peripheral blood in both atopic and non-atopic asthmatic children but not in healthy control children. The aim of the present study was to determine IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-γ secretion induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by a broad panel of inhalant allergens (timothy, cat, birch, dog and house dust mite) in asthmatic children with and without sensitization. The study included 13 atopic asthmatic, 5 non-atopic asthmatic, and 12 non-atopic non-asthmatic children. PBMC were stimulated with allergens and cytokine production was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Higher levels of cat and dog antigen-induced IL-5 release were more commonly observed in both atopic and non-atopic asthmatics than in controls. Children with atopic, but not non-atopic, asthma produced higher levels of allergen-induced IL-4 and IL-9 than controls. Non-atopic asthmatics produced more IL-10 than atopic asthmatics after cat stimulation. High levels of eosinophilia-associated IL-5 responses are induced by cat and dog allergen in both atopic and non-atopic asthmatic children. The Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-9 were associated only with atopic asthma, probably due to their IgE-inducing properties.     

急性特发性血小板减少性紫癜儿童T-bet和GATA3的表达

目的：通过分析急性特发性血小板减少性紫癜（ITP）儿童血中转录因子T-bet和GATA3 mRNA的表达及细胞因子IFN-γ和IL-4的含量,探讨急性ITP发病机制中Th1/Th2细胞分化的趋势及其与转录因子的关系。方法：利用RT-PCR技术,测定急性TIP患儿发作期（n=30）和缓解期（n=28）外周血中T-bet和GATA3 mRNA 的表达,并使用ELISA法检测血浆IFN-γ和IL-4含量。20例健康儿童作为对照组。结果：ITP患儿发作期血中T-bet mRNA表达和IFN-γ含量明显高于缓解期和对照组（P＜0.01）。发作期血中GATA3 mRNA表达和IL-4的含量明显低于缓解期和对照组（P＜0.01）。结论：儿童急性ITP存在明显的Th1优势分化现象,且可能与转录因子T-bet和GATA3的调控作用有关。［中国当代儿科杂志,2010,12（1）：29-31］