Open AccessCytokine profiles in Wegener's granulomatosis: Predominance of type 1 (Th1) in the granulomatous inflammation
Author(s) -
Csernok Elena,
Trabandt Andreas,
Müller Antje,
Wang Guchoan C.,
Moosig Frank,
Paulsen Jens,
Schnabel Armin,
Gross Wolfgang L.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/1529-0131(199904)42:4<742::aid-anr18>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - bronchoalveolar lavage , cytokine , cd8 , immunology , reverse transcriptase , inflammation , pathology , granuloma , medicine , interferon , interferon gamma , microbiology and biotechnology , polymerase chain reaction , biology , lung , immune system , gene , biochemistry
Objective To determine whether a specific cytokine pattern (type 1 [Th1] or type 2 [Th2]) predominates in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), by evaluating interferon‐γ (IFNγ) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) expression in different compartments of the body (i.e., biopsied nasal mucosal tissue [NBS], bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] fluid, and peripheral blood [PB]) and comparing the findings with those in disease and healthy control subjects. Methods Competitive reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were used to assess IFNγ and IL‐4 expression in T cell clones (TCC), T cell lines (TCL), and polyclonal CD4+ and CD8+ cells derived from NBS, BAL, and PB. Results Patients with WG and chronic rhinitis were found to share in situ production of messenger RNA (mRNA) specific for IFNγ (Th1). Only 2 patients with WG expressed IL‐4, whereas IL‐4 mRNA PCR products were found in inflamed tissues of the disease control patients. The granuloma‐derived T cells of WG patients produced only IFNγ, while TCC, TCL, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from BAL and PB produced mainly IFNγ. Conclusion Our data indicate that a Th1 cytokine pattern predominates in the granulomatous inflammation in patients with WG.