Premium
A subset of CD8 + T cells from allergic patients produce IL‐4 and stimulate IgE production in vitro
Author(s) -
MEISSNER N.,
KUSSEBI E.,
JUNG T.,
RATTI H.,
BAUMGARTEN C.,
WEREEL T.,
HEUSSER C.,
RENZ H.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1997.1180931.x
Subject(s) - immunoglobulin e , cd8 , cytotoxic t cell , immunology , interleukin 4 , interleukin 21 , cytokine , biology , in vitro , chemistry , immune system , antibody , biochemistry
Summary Background and Objective A subset of IL‐4 producing CD8 + T cells was recently identified in HIV patients. Based on these findings we examined whether IL‐4 producing CD8 + T cells would also be present in allergic patients and what would be the functional relevance of this T‐cell population. Methods We investigated the role of CD8 + T cells in IgE production of allergic diseases by analysing the cytokine profile of individual CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. Results In allergic patients about twice as many CD4 + T cells and six times as many CD8 + T cells produced IL‐4 as in non‐allergic controls. In contrast the frequency of IFNγ + T‐cell subsets did not significantly differ between the allergic and non‐allergic individuals. The frequency of 1L4 + CD8 + T cells correlated with the level of serum IgE. Coculture experiments with T cells or purified CD8 + T cells together with autologous B cells indicated that CD8 + T cells enhanced IgE in vitro , but not IgM production, even when they were physically separated from B cells. This effect could be partially blocked by addition of an IL‐4 binding protein, a soluble IL‐4 receptor indicating that lL‐4 is involved in CD8 + T‐cell mediated IgE production. Conclusions These data indicate a positive role of IL‐4 secreting CD8 + T cells in IgE regulation in allergic patients.