T- helper 1 and 2 cytokine assay in patients with common variable immunodeficiency.

BACKGROUND

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of disorders, characterized by decreased immunoglobulin levels in serum and increased susceptibility to recurrent infections, autoimmunity, and malignancy. The pathogenesis of CVID is still unknown.

OBJECTIVES

This study was performed to investigate T-helper (T(H)) 1 and 2 cytokine levels in patients with CVID.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Twenty-four cases of CVID were studied. Cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon gamma were measured in the serum of the patients and compared with those of healthy controls.

RESULTS

T(H)2 cytokine levels (IL-4 and IL-10) were significantly higher in the patient group than in the controls (median: 64.5 vs 0.0 pg/mL, P=.016 for IL-4 and 321.1 vs. 0.0 pg/mL, P=.001 for IL-10). However, there were no significant differences in T(H)1 cytokines between the 2 groups (median, 116.5 vs. 104.5 pg/mL, P=.22 for IL-2 and 50.5 vs. 42.3 pg/mL, P=.32 for IFN-gamma).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased levels of IL-4 and IL-10 could indicate high activation of T(H)2 lymphocytes in this group of patients and consequently supports the concept of a bias towards T(H)2-type responses.