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Immune function in patients with acute pancreatitis
Author(s) -
UEHARA SOICHIRO,
GOTHOH KATSUHIRO,
HANDA HIROSHI,
TOMITA HIROSHI,
TOMITA YOSHIMURA
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2003.02979.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cd8 , immune system , flow cytometry , antigen , immunology , endocrinology , apoptosis , t lymphocyte , pancreatitis , biology , biochemistry
Background: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the balance of T‐helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines, and the numbers of CD4+ T and CD8+ T‐cells, and was investigated, together with the plasma concentration of the antigen, an apoptosis marker, in patients with mild and acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods: Plasma concentrations of soluble (s) CD4, sCD8, sIL‐2‐R, IL‐12, IFN‐γ and sFas antigen were measured by ELISA, and CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts were measured by flow cytometry. Results: Both CD4+ T and CD8+ T‐cells were reduced in number; in the severe cases the reduction in the former was more pronounced. A significant positive correlation was noted among the concentrations of sCD4, sIL‐2‐R and IL‐12, and a significant positive correlation was also found between sCD4 and sFas. During the early stage of AP, the concentrations of sCD4, sCD8, sIL‐2‐R, IL‐12 and IFN‐γ increased more in the severe cases compared with those who had milder symptoms; however, these increases were moderated during the clinical course. Conclusion: We considered that these Th1 type CD4+ T cells probably induce the activation of macrophages and further pro‐inflammatory reactions during the early stage of AP, as well as exerting direct cytotoxicity effects through Fas/Fas ligand expression. © 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd