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Methylisothiazolinones elicit increased production of both T helper (Th)1‐ and Th2‐like cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from contact allergic individuals
Author(s) -
Masjedi K.,
Ahlborg N.,
Gruvberger B.,
Bruze M.,
Karlberg A.T.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2003.05750.x
Subject(s) - elispot , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , immunology , cytokine , allergy , allergic contact dermatitis , immune system , medicine , interleukin 4 , t cell , chemistry , in vitro , biochemistry
Summary Background Delayed‐type hypersensitivity reactions to nickel (Ni 2+ ) in humans are associated with increased production of both T helper (Th) 1‐ and Th2‐like cytokines. Cytokine responses to the major group of contact allergens, i.e. organic compounds, have been less extensively studied. We have investigated here the cytokine production induced by a mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI), the active ingredients in common preservatives that are capable of eliciting allergic contact dermatitis. Objective To characterize the immune response induced by MCI/MI in terms of the production of Th1‐ and Th2‐like cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from allergic and non‐allergic subjects. Methods Ten subjects with a history of contact allergy to MCI/MI and nine age‐matched non‐allergic volunteers participated. Their actual status was confirmed by patch testing. PBMC were cultured in the presence or absence of MCI/MI; cell proliferation was measured employing [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation; and the number of cytokine‐producing cells was determined using the enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay and the levels of soluble cytokines in culture media by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The proliferative response of PBMC to MCI/MI was significantly greater in the case of the allergic group than for the non‐allergic group, as was the production of interleukin (IL)‐2 and IL‐13 (as determined by ELISpot and/or ELISA). PBMC from three of the allergic individuals with increased production of IL‐2 and IL‐13 responded to MCI/MI with elevated numbers of cells producing IL‐4 and IL‐5. The increases in the production of IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13 were positively correlated. Conclusion MCI/MI elicited concomitant production of both Th1‐ and Th2‐like cytokines by PBMC from subjects with contact allergy to these substances. This finding indicates that the organic compounds MCI/MI elicit a mixed Th1‐ and Th2‐type of response, similar to that elicited by the metal ion Ni 2+ in Ni 2+ ‐sensitized individuals.