Early DNA synthesis and cytokine expression in the nickel activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in nickel-allergic subjects.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol
; 123(2): 170-6, 2000 Oct.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11060490
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
Nickel sulphate stimulates the proliferation of lymphocytes in nickel-allergic subjects. However, nickel-induced stimulation of lymphocytes from control persons without clinical symptoms of nickel allergy has also been reported. The aim of the present study was to correlate T cell activity, measured by DNA synthesis and the expression of Th1 [interleukin (IL)-2, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-beta and interferon (IFN)-gamma] and Th2 (IL-4) cytokines, in short-term (up to 72 h) culture of nickel-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from nickel-allergic patients compared to control subjects.METHODS:
DNA synthesis was measured by the incorporation of [methyl-(3)H]thymidine. The production of IL-2, TNF-beta, IFN-gamma and IL-4 was measured in the supernatants of the cultures by ELISA. In situ hybridization for mRNA was performed using oligonucleotide probes for IL-4, IFN-gamma and TNF-beta in cell smears.RESULTS:
Already after 24 h and proceeding through the remaining culture period, there was a statistically significant (p<0.001) difference in the concentrations of IL-2 between patients and controls. There was a significant (p<0.01) difference in DNA synthesis (stimulation index) between the patients and control subjects at 72 h, and also at the same time a difference in the concentrations of TNF-beta (p<0.05) and IL-4 (p<0.01). In the in situ hybridization study, TNF-beta was found to be the only one of the studied cytokines that differed between the nickel-allergic and control subjects, this difference being most evident at 72 h (p<0.01).CONCLUSIONS:
Our results indicate a difference between nickel-allergic and non-allergic subjects in the synthesis of DNA and production of cytokines when PBMC are stimulated by nickel sulphate, and IL-2 may be regarded as a critical and early-occurring cytokine.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
DNA
/
Leukocytes, Mononuclear
/
Cytokines
/
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact
/
Nickel
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Int Arch Allergy Immunol
Journal subject:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
Year:
2000
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: