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。     

慢性乙肝患者IFN-α治疗后Th1/Th2细胞因子表达与HLA-DRB1*07的相关性

为探讨广东地区汉族慢性乙型肝炎病毒患者IFN治疗 6个月Th1 /Th2因子的表达水平与HLA DRB1 0 7的相关性。收集 89例广东地区汉族接受IFN α正规治疗前和治疗 6个月慢性乙肝患者新鲜抗凝血各 5ml,通过序列特异性引物套式PCR(PCR SSP )方法进行HLA DRB1 0 7检测 ,并同时用双抗体夹心法检测患者外周血CD4+ T细胞分泌IFN γ和IL 4的水平。结果显示 ,所有患者经IFN α治疗 6个月后IFN γ水平增高 ,IL 4水平下降。HLA DRB1 0 7阳性患者治疗前后IFN γ浓度差异平均为 1 87 48pg/ml± 2 8 84pg/ml,IL 4浓度差异平均为 50 91pg/ml± 1 5 32pg/ml;HLA DRB1 0 7阴性患者治疗前后IFN γ浓度差异平均为 455 38pg/ml± 35 41pg/ml,IL 4浓度差异平均为 90 99pg/ml± 1 7 76pg/ml。慢性乙肝患者接受IFN治疗前后Th1 /Th2因子表达的变化水平与HLA DRB1 0 7位点相关     

消化道肿瘤患者Th1/Th2细胞的监测和分析

为观察肿瘤患者外周血Th1/Th2细胞数及其与肿瘤的相关性。Th1/Th2细胞的检测采用酶联免疫斑点法 (ELISPOT ) ,细胞因子的检测采用双抗体夹心ELISA法。结果胃癌患者Th1/Th2细胞比值降低 (P <0 0 5 )。经IL 12 +抗IL 4单抗处理组 ,Th1/Th2细胞比值升高 ;经IL 4 +抗IFN γ单抗处理组 ,Th1/Th2细胞比值降低 (P <0 0 5 )。胃癌、结直肠癌患者外周血中Th2细胞均占优势 ,其Th1型细胞因子IL 2和IFN γ与正常人相比显著降低 ;Th2型细胞因子IL 4、IL 6和IL 10与正常人相比显著升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ;同时 ,TNF α显著升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ;IL 12降低 ,其中结直肠癌患者与正常人比没有显著差异 (P >0 0 5 ) ,胃癌患者与正常人比有显著差异 (P <0 0 5 )。此外还发现随着肿瘤分化程度的降低 ,Th1型细胞因子的降低和Th2型细胞因子的升高更加明显 (P <0 0 5 )。肿瘤患者Th1/Th2细胞比值降低 ,同时 ,Th1型细胞因子降低 ,Th2型细胞因子升高。但在肿瘤的免疫治疗过程中 ,通过诱导IL 12等Th1型细胞因子的分泌 ,可促进细胞免疫应答 ,有助于疾病的治疗。     

HLA-DRB1*07与慢性乙肝患者Th1/Th2因子表达水平的相关性

目的 :探讨广东地区汉族慢性乙型肝炎患者HLA DRB1 0 7与Th1 Th2因子表达水平的相关性。方法 :收集 12 0例广东地区汉族慢性乙肝患者新鲜抗凝血各 8ml,通过序列特异性引物套式PCR(PCR SSP)方法进行HLA DRB1 0 7检测 ,并同时用双抗体夹心法检测患者治疗前后外周血CD4 +T细胞分泌IFN γ、IL 2、IL 10和IL 4的水平。结果 :12 0例慢性乙肝患者HLA DRB1 0 7携带者 31例 ,携带率为 2 5 8% ,明显高于广东地区汉族人群的平均携带率 7 84 % ;HLA DRB1 0 7阳性患者IFN γ平均表达水平为 (1132 0 4± 75 36 )pg ml,IL 2平均表达水平为 (1184 0 6± 81 4 2 )pg ml,IL 4平均表达水平为 (876 79± 4 7 5 3)pg ml,IL 10平均表达水平为 (817 4 8± 2 4 4 0 )pg ml ;HLA DRB1 0 7阴性患者IFN γ平均表达水平为 (12 32 10± 198 13)pg ml,IL 2平均表达水平为 (12 0 8 17± 116 12 )pg ml,IL 4平均表达水平为 (6 81 99± 6 1 5 9)pg ml,IL 10平均表达水平为 (6 38 84± 76 17)pg ml。HLA DRB1 0 7阳性患者IL 4、IL 10表达水平高于阴性患者 (P <0 0 5 ) ,而IFN γ、IL 2表达水平与阴性患者差异无统计学意义 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 :HLA DRB1 0 7(+)慢性乙肝患者Th2因子表达水平高于HLA DRB1 0 7(- )慢性乙肝患者。     

克鼻敏汤对变应性鼻炎患者血清Th1、Th2细胞因子的影响

目的 :观察克鼻敏汤对变应性鼻炎 (AR)患者血清Th1、Th2细胞因子的影响 ,以探讨其治疗机制。方法 :6 0例AR患者随机分为克鼻敏汤治疗组 (TG)和辛芳鼻炎胶囊对照组 (CG)进行治疗 ;收集治疗前后空腹血清标本 ,用酶联免疫吸附法 (ELISA)对血清中Th1细胞因子IFN γ、IL 2、IL 12、和Th2细胞因子IL 4、IL 5、IL 10进行检测 ;并与健康对照组进行比较。结果 :AR患者血清IL 4、IL 5、IL 10等Th2细胞因子水平明显高于正常 ;而IFN γ、IL 2、IL 12等Th1细胞因子水平明显低于正常(P <0 0 1)。经克鼻敏汤治疗后血清IL 4、IL 5、IL 10等Th2细胞因子水平较治疗前明显下降 (P <0 0 1) ;IFN γ、IL 2、IL 12等Th1细胞因子水平较治疗前有明显增高 (P <0 0 5 )。而对照组无明显变化 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 :克鼻敏汤通过调节Th1和Th2细胞因子的表达 ,纠正失衡的Th1 Th2的细胞因子网络而对变应性鼻炎产生治疗作用     

细胞信号转导介导与日本血吸虫特异性Th1/Th2免疫偏移

分别于小鼠感染日本血吸虫后 0、 4、 6、 8和 12周 ,取脾淋巴细胞体外培养 ,进行细胞信号转导抑制试验 ,观察酪氨酸蛋白激酶 (TPK )、蛋白激酶C (PKC )和磷酯酰肌醇 3 激酶 (PI 3 K )特异性抑制剂 (Tyrphostin 2 5、D sphingosine和Wort mannin )分别特异性抑制和不同组合抑制TPK、PKC和PI 3K后 ,对小鼠脾淋巴细胞经虫卵可溶性抗原 (SEA )诱生IL 2、IFN γ和IL 4的表达水平及对Th1/Th2免疫偏移的影响。结果发现Tyrphostin 2 5对IL 2、IFN γ和IL 4水平的抑制作用均非常显著(P <0 0 1) ,D sphingosine主要影响IL 4的表达 (P <0 0 1) ,而Wortmannin则主要影响IFN γ的表达 (P <0 0 1) ,Tyrphostin 2 5和Wortmannin联合应用可完全阻断IL 2的表达及增强对IFN γ的抑制作用 ,Tyrphostin 2 5和D sphingosine联合应用可完全阻断IL 4的表达。对反映Th1/Th2免疫平衡的Th2分化指数分析表明 ,D sphingosine可使Th2免疫应答优势减弱 ,而Wort mannin则可使Th2免疫应答优势增强。研究结果表明 ,干预细胞信号转导可调节日本血吸虫特异性Th1/Th2细胞因子表达水平及Th1/Th2免疫偏移 ,为探索控制日本血吸虫卵肉芽肿病变的潜在新途径 ,提供了实验依据。     

在单个细胞水平上分析抗原特异性Th1/Th2细胞因子产生的关联性

目的　在单个细胞水平上 ,观察抗原特异性Th1和Th2细胞因子产生的关联性 ,为进一步阐明CD4 T细胞的分化 ,细胞因子产生的相互关系及其特征提供理论依据。方法　从OVA TCR转基因小鼠的脾和淋巴结中分离CD4 T细胞 ,在体外在抗原提呈细胞存在下 ,用卵白蛋白 (OVA)抗原多肽刺激 3d后 ,再以同样的培养条件刺激 5～ 6h ,固定细胞 ,然后进行细胞表面和细胞内细胞因子染色 ,最后利用流式细胞仪在单个细胞水平上分析Th1和Th2细胞因子产生的关联性。结果　抗原特异性CD4 T细胞经抗原再一次刺激后 ,分泌Th1(IFN γ和IL 2 )和Th2 (IL 4、IL 5和IL 10 )细胞因子。IL 12促进IFN γ的表达 ,控制Th2细胞的分化。此外 ,大多数抗原特异性CD4 T细胞只产生 1种细胞因子 ,1个细胞同时产生 2种细胞因子极少见。结论　在单个细胞水平上的研究结果表明 ,经抗原短暂刺激后 (3d) ,不同的CD4 T细胞亚群只产生 1种Th1和 或Th2细胞因子 ,同时产生两种以上者占有很低的比率     

DV2 NGC株感染BALB/C小鼠后IL-4、IFN-γ产生动态的研究

目的 :观察 2型登革病毒NGC株感染BALB C小鼠后其IL 4、IFN γ产生动态 ,研究登革病毒感染的免疫机制。方法 :用不同含量的DV2NGC株经皮下多点注射 ,间接ELISA法测定感染后不同时间各组小鼠血浆IL 4、IFN γ含量。结果 :DV2NGC株感染小鼠产生IL 4和IFN γ动态不同。初次感染早期 ,IL 4水平明显升高 ,而IFN γ处于较低水平 ;再次感染后第 1天 ,IL 4水平达最高峰 ( 4 2 94 6 6 8± 349 0 38pg ml) ,IFN γ则于第 4天和第 11天达较高水平 ,两者的产生彼消此长 ,且产生动态与感染病毒量有关。结论 :DV2NGC株感染早期 ,体液免疫和细胞免疫相互影响 ,体液免疫占主导作用 ,为Th2应答优势。但在登革热感染后期 ,细胞免疫一定程度抑制Th2应答 ,使病情好转     

不明原因习惯性流产患者Th1/Th2型细胞因子的检测

目的 :了解不明原因习惯性流产 (UHA)患者对滋养细胞抗原刺激产生Th1、Th2型细胞因子的水平 ,探讨其在UHA发病中的作用。方法 :选取 5 4例UHA患者 ,35例为未妊娠者 ,为UHA未孕组 ,19例为有UHA病史 ,现在确定妊娠并难免流产者 ,为UHA难免流产组。分别选取 15例正常未孕妇女及正常妊娠者作为对照组。应用酶联免疫吸附法检测未孕各组经滋养细胞抗原刺激的外周血单个核细胞 (PBMC)及妊娠各组PBMC与蜕膜单个核细胞 (DMC)培养上清液中IL 2、IFN γ、IL 4、IL 10的水平。结果 :①在最佳诱导时间下 ,UHA未孕组PBMC产生IL 2、IFN γ的水平明显高于正常未孕组 (P均 <0 0 5 ) ,而IL 4、IL 10水平明显低于正常未孕组 (P均 <0 0 5 )。②UHA难免流产组PBMC及DMC产生的IL 2、IFN γ水平均明显高于正常妊娠组 (P均 <0 0 5 ) ,而IL 4、IL 10水平则明显低于正常妊娠组 ,差异均有显著性 (P均 <0 0 5 )。两组PBMC产生的各细胞因子水平均低于同组DMC ,差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5 )。结论 :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 ,导致妊娠丢失。     

SLE患者IFN-γ、IL-4及IL-12水平变化及意义

从Th1/Th2细胞代表性细胞因子IFN γ/IL 4和IL 12水平的变化分析SLE患者Th1/Th2细胞的偏移现象。本实验通过半定量PCR法和ELISA酶联免疫检测法检测上述三种细胞因子含量。实验结果显示 ,SLE患者IL 4/IFN γ基因水平比值为0 32 8,高于对照组 (0 0 7)。ELISA检测显示IL 12在SLE患者血清中为 (38 39± 15 1)pg/ml,低于对照组 (84 97± 13 7)pg/ml(P <0 0 5 )。结论 :SLE患者Th1/Th2细胞因子平衡失调 ,IL 4细胞因子基因水平增高 ,同时血清中IL 12水平降低。     

Role of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in immune response to uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria

The relative balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines appears crucial, since the role of cytokines has been evaluated in several studies by comparison of clinically heterogeneous groups of patients. The aim of this study is to determine the role of proinflammatory Th1 cytokines, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), and anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10, in a homogeneous group of patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Levels of IL-12, IFN-gamma, Il-4, and IL-10 in serum for 20 adult patients and 15 healthy control subjects were determined by an immunoenzymatic assay. Serum levels of Th1 cytokines, IL-12 (8.6 +/- 2.8 pg/ml; controls, 3.2 +/- 0.7 pg/ml) and IFN-gamma (39.2 +/- 67.6 pg/ml; controls, 8.4 +/- 6.3 pg/ml), were significantly increased at admission; 3 days later, levels of IL-12 in serum remained significantly high (8.8 +/- 2.6 pg/ml), whereas IFN-gamma levels returned to control values. The anti-inflammatory response of Th2 cytokines (IL-10 and IL-4) was distinct. Levels of IL-10 in serum were not significantly increased at day 0 and day 3 (306.6 +/- 200.4 pg/ml and 56.6 +/- 38.4 pg/ml, respectively; controls, 17.4 +/- 9.0 pg/ml). In contrast, levels of IL-4 in serum were not increased on admission (3.4 +/- 1.2 pg/ml; controls, 2.4 +/- 0.8 pg/ml), but at day 3 a moderate and significant increase of IL-4 levels was observed (4.5 +/- 1.7 pg/ml). In conclusion, the increase of Th1 cytokine IL-12 and IFN-gamma levels during the acute phase of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria may reflect an early and effective immune response regulated by proinflammatory Th1 cytokines, and in particular IFN-gamma may play a role in limiting progression from uncomplicated malaria to severe and life-threatening complications.     

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in women with recurrent abortions: increased cytokine levels and reduced Th1/Th2 lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood

PROBLEM: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in peripheral blood Th1/Th2 cytokine levels and lymphocyte ratios after massive intravenous immunoglobulin (MIVIg) treatment for women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) of unexplained etiology. METHOD OF STUDY: Serum Th1 (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) and Th2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-10) levels were assessed by ELISA methods (n = 9) and peripheral blood Th1/Th2 lymphocyte ratios (n = 4) by flow cytometry before and after MIVIg treatments in women with four or more consecutive RSA. RESULTS: Pre-treatment serum IFN-gamma (0.06 +/- 0.09 pg/mL, mean +/- SD), TNF-alpha (0.21 +/- 0.45 pg/mL), IL-4 (0.70 +/- 1.16 pg/mL), and IL-10 (1.12 +/- 1.67 pg/mL) increased to 0.17 +/- 0.16 pg/mL, 0.77 +/- 0.28 pg/mL, 1.82 +/- 0.89 pg/mL, and 3.44 +/- 0.48 pg/mL, respectively, after MIVIg treatments (P < 0.05). CD4-positive IFN-gamma/IL-4 lymphocyte ratios (17.3 +/- 9.1) were reduced to 11.5 +/- 7.1 after treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Massive intravenous immunoglobulin treatments increased peripheral blood cytokine levels and decreased Th1/Th2 lymphocyte ratios; thus, MIVIg treatments modify the peripheral Th1/Th2 balance.     

Nickel-induced IL-10 down-regulates Th1- but not Th2-type cytokine responses to the contact allergen nickel

Whereas the involvement of Th1- and Th2-type cytokines in contact allergy to nickel (Ni) is well documented, the role of the regulatory cytokine IL-10 is less clear. We therefore investigated the impact of IL-10 on Ni-induced Th1- (IFN-gamma) and Th2-type (IL-4 and IL-13) cytokine responses in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC from 15 blood donors with reactivity to Ni (Ni-PBMC) and 8 control donors devoid of reactivity (control PBMC) were stimulated with Ni and the frequency of cytokine-producing cells and the levels of secreted cytokines were analysed by ELISpot (IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-gamma) and ELISA (IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-gamma), respectively. The Ni-induced response was further assessed in the presence of recombinant IL-10 (rIL-10) or neutralizing antibody to IL-10 and the phenotype of the Ni-specific cytokine-producing cells regulated by IL-10 was determined by cell depletion experiments. Ni induced IL-10 production in Ni-PBMC (mean, (range); 33.1 pg/ml (0-93.4 pg/ml)) but not control PBMC (2.2 pg/ml (0-14.9 pg/ml)) (P = 0.002). Ni also induced significant production of IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-gamma that correlated with the IL-10 response. Addition of rIL-10 down-regulated the Ni-induced production of all cytokines but with a more pronounced effect on IFN-gamma. However, neutralization of Ni-induced IL-10 enhanced the levels of IFN-gamma induced by Ni (P = 0.004) but did not affect the number of IFN-gamma-producing cells or the production of other cytokines. Cell depletion experiments suggested that the Ni-specific IFN-gamma (and Th2-type cytokine) producing cells were CD4(+) T cells. The impact of IL-10 on Ni-induced IFN-gamma responses by CD4(+) T cells suggests that an important role of IL-10 in vivo is to counteract the allergic reactions mediated by Th1-type cytokines.     

The antibody response to HBs antigen is regulated by coordinated Th1 and Th2 cytokine production in healthy neonates

A proportion of healthy neonates fail to produce protective levels of anti-HBs antibody following vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. This study was undertaken to investigate contribution of Th1 and Th2 responses to anti-HBs antibody production and to explore the mechanism(s) of unresponsiveness to HBsAg in human neonates. Peripheral blood manonuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated form 28 nonresponder (anti-HBs antibody <10 IU/l) and 25 responder neonates. The cells were stimulated in vitro with recombinant HBsAg and PHA mitogen and concentrations of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were quantified in culture supernatants by sandwich ELISA. Our results demonstrated significantly increased production of all cytokines, including IL-4 (P < 0.001), IL-10 (P < 0.002) and IFN-gamma (P < 0.01) in responder compared to nonresponder vaccinees. No significant differences, however, were observed between the two groups of neonates in the levels of cytokines induced by PHA or secreted in absence of antigen and mitogen. Our findings suggest that unresponsiveness to recombinant HBsAg in healthy neonates is linked to inadequate secretion of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines.     

Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, IL-18 and IL-12) and Th cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13) in patients with allergic asthma

Allergen-reactive T helper type-2 (Th2) cells and proinflammatory cytokines have been suggested to play an important role in the induction and maintenance of the inflammatory cascade in allergic asthma. We compared the plasma concentrations of novel proinflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IL-18, other proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-12, Th2 cytokines IL-10 and IL-13, and intracellular interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-4 in Th cells of 41 allergic asthmatics and 30 sex- and age-matched health control subjects. Plasma cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intracellular cytokines were quantified by flow cytometry. Plasma IL-18, IL-12, IL-10, IL-13 concentrations were significantly higher in allergic asthmatic patients than normal control subjects (IL-18: median 228.35 versus 138.72 pg/ml, P < 0.001; IL-12: 0.00 versus 0.00 pg/ml, P = 0.001; IL-10: 2.51 versus 0.05 pg/ml, P < 0.034; IL-13: 119.38 versus 17.89 pg/ml, P < 0.001). Allergic asthmatic patients showed higher plasma IL-17 and IL-6 concentrations than normal controls (22.40 versus 11.86 pg/ml and 3.42 versus 0.61 pg/ml, respectively), although the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.077 and 0.053, respectively). The percentage of IFN-gamma-producing Th cells was significantly higher in normal control subjects than asthmatic patients (23.46 versus 5.72%, P < 0.001) but the percentage of IL-4 producing Th cells did not differ (0.72 versus 0.79%, P > 0.05). Consequently, the Th1/Th2 cell ratio was significantly higher in normal subjects than asthmatic patients (29.6 versus 8.38%, P < 0.001). We propose that allergic asthma is characterized by an elevation of both proinflammatory and Th2 cytokines. The significantly lower ratio of Th1/Th2 cells confirms a predominance of Th2 cells response in allergic asthma.     

Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) promotes allergen-induced immune deviation in favour of Th1 responses

BACKGROUND: Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) is a nontoxic derivative of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Salmonella minnesota R595. MPL has been used as an adjuvant in grass and tree pollen vaccines for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Little is known about the influence of MPL on cellular responses to allergens in man. We therefore studied the effects of MPL in vitro on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from patients with grass pollen hay fever. METHODS: The PBMCs from 13 subjects were cultured with grass pollen Phleum pratense extract (0, 2 and 20 microg/ml) and MPL (0 and 10 microg/ml; defined as an optimal concentration in preliminary studies) and after 6 days proliferative responses were measured by thymidine incorporation and cytokine production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Proliferative responses were unaffected by the presence of MPL whereas MPL induced a significant increase in allergen-induced interferon (IFN)-gamma production [allergen alone, 645 +/- 466 pg/ml (mean +/- SE) vs allergen + MPL, 3232 +/- 818 pg/ml; P < 0.001]. In addition, there was a significant decrease in interleukin (IL)-5 production (4307 +/- 1030 pg/ml vs 2997 +/- 826 pg/ml; P < 0.01). Although MPL alone could induce modest increases in IL-10 production, MPL did not influence the production of this cytokine in allergen-stimulated cultures. Addition of neutralizing antibody against IL-12 resulted in 95% inhibition of MPL-induced IFN-gamma production. Depletion of monocytes from the culture system abrogated the effects of MPL on elevated cytokine production. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, use of MPL with grass pollen extract results in immune deviation of allergen-induced peripheral Th2-cell responses in favour of 'protective' Th1 responses in an IL-12 and monocyte-dependent fashion.     

Differential cytokine profile in children with cystic fibrosis

The previously observed occurrence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) in patients who have cystic fibrosis (CF), together with the reported decrease in IgG2, a Th1-controlled isotype, suggests a potential for Th1/Th2 imbalance in CF patients with a possible Th2 predominance. 48 CF patients and 16 controls had levels of IFNgamma, IL-4, and IL-10 measured in supernatants of whole blood cell cultures stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phytohemaglutinine (PHA). The patients were divided into 2 groups: "low responders", having negligible secretion of cytokines (IFNgamma: 10.0-200.0 pg/ml, IL-4: 0.0-0.3 pg/ml) and "high responders", producing high levels of both IFNgamma (500.0-2000.0 pg/ml) and IL-4 (1.0-200.0 pg/ml). There was a statistically significant (P < 0.01) deterioration of lung function measured by an FEV(1) decline by 11.2% over 3 years in the "low responder" group. 10 of 16 "low responders" had chronic lung infections with P. aeruginosa while such infection was less prevalent in the "high responder" group where only 13 of 32 CF patients had positive cultures. A shift towards Th2 response was observed in the "high responder" group as children chronically infected with P. aeruginosa had greater IL-4 production than non-infected CF patients within the same cohort. ANCA autoantibodies were found only in the "high responder" group. Th2 immune response predominance in a subset of CF patients is associated with chronic P. aeruginosa infection.     

白三烯受体拮抗剂对呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎血清Th1/Th2细胞因子水平影响的研究

目的探讨白三烯受体拮抗剂对呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎患儿血清中Th1／Th2细胞因子、半胱氨酰白三烯水平的影响，研究降低呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎发展为哮喘的有效干预途径。方法将37例呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎患儿分为白三烯受体拮抗剂干预组：顺尔宁，4mg qd，疗程12周，糖皮质激素吸入干预组：出院后给予糖皮质激素吸入，200μg qd／bid，疗程12周。两组患儿入院后24h内及疗程结束用酶联免疫法检测CysLTs、IFN-γ、IL-4。另选10例健康同龄儿童血清标本作对照。结果呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎患儿血清中Th1／Th2细胞因子表达存在失衡，血清CysLTs水平明显高于健康对照组（t=7．85，P〈0．05）；顺尔宁干预组和糖皮质激素吸入干预组均能纠正Th1／Th2细胞因子失衡，差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。糖皮质激素吸入干预组血清CysLTs水平治疗前后无明显变化，差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05），顺尔宁干预组血清Cys仉水平治疗后明显下降，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎患儿存在Th1／Th2细胞因子失衡、血清CysLTs水平较健康同龄儿童明显升高，与哮喘有相似之处。白三烯受体拮抗剂早期干预能纠正Th1／Th2细胞因子失衡，降低血清CysLTs水平。     

Anti-idiotype immunomodulation of experimental anti-phospholipid syndrome via effect on Th1/Th2 expression.

Mice with experimental anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), induced by active immunization with a human anti-cardiolipin MoAb (H-3), were treated with mouse anti-idiotypic MoAb (anti-H3, named S2.9) and with an irrelevant anti-idiotype. The immunized mice produced high titres of mouse anti-cardiolipin antibodies along with clinical manifestations of experimental APS: prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thrombocytopenia and high rate of fetal loss. Treatment with the specific anti-Id (S2.9) as a whole molecule or F(ab)2 fraction, resulted in a decrease in serum levels of the anti-cardiolipin antibodies, rise in platelet count, shortened aPTT and reduced rate of fetal loss. The anti-Id effect was associated with a rise in the number of IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-secreting cells (Th1) and reduction in IL-4- and IL-6-secreting cells (Th2). The beneficial effect of the anti-Id treatment in mice with experimental APS induced by active immunization with an idiotype further supports the idiotypic aetiology of experimental APS and points to the role of Th1 cytokines in suppression of its manifestations.