Abstract
In allergic diseases serum IgE levels are elevated. It has been suggested in many studies that this is due to a shift in the balance between IFN-γ producing Th1 cells and IL-4/IL-10 secreting The cells. The period between 0 - 4 years is very important in the development of allergy, due to qualitative and quantitative differences in the immune system of children as compared to adults. The aim of this study is to examine the isotype switching potential of purified B cells and the cytokine profiles of purified T cells of allergic children. Therefore peripheral blood samples were collected of children (0-4 years), with allergic asthma or atopic dermatitis and healthy age-matched controls. Stimulation of purified B cells in vitro, revealed a decreased production of IgG4 and IgA, but not of IgE in atopic dermatitis. The production of these isotypes by B cells in asthma did not differ from healthy controls. Purified T cells were polyclonally stimulated in vitro and analyzed for cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-γ) production by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis and cytokine specific ELISA. The IFN-γ production by T cells in atopic dermatitis was lower than in asthma and healthy controls, whereas the IL-4 production was comparable in the examined groups. By means of FACS-analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), we found that the relative amount of T cells was increased and the NK-cells relatively decreased in children with atopic dermatitis, which has been described in adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Furthermore the fraction of CD4CD45RO positive cells (memory T cells) tended to be higher in atopic dermatitis. The data obtained show more profound differences in cytokine pattern, isotype production and cell distribution in small children with atopic dermatitis than in children developing asthma.
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Koninq, H., Baert, M., Neiiens, H. et al. 317 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DIFFERENCES IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF ALLERGIC CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 36, 55 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199407000-00317
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199407000-00317