Decreased mucosal interleukin-4 (IL-4) production in gut inflammation. Issue 11 (November 1994)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karttunnen, R; Breese, E J; Walker-Smith, J A; MacDonald, T T
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pathology. Volume 47:Issue 11(1994)
• Page Start: 1015
• Page End: 1018
• Publication Date: 1994-11
• Subjects: Pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.0705
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.47.11.1015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9746

Abstract

Abstract : AIMS--To determine the prevalence of cells secreting interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the gut mucosa of children with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS--Mononuclear cells were isolated from intestinal biopsy specimens from control children (n = 10) and children with active inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease n = 15, ulcerative colitis n = 9, indeterminate colitis n = 3). Spontaneous IL-4 production was then measured by SPOT-enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) using a pair of non-competing anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibodies. The percentage of T cells in the isolated cells were also determined and the prevalence of IL-4 secreting cells calculated per 10, 000 T cells. RESULTS--In control children the mean number of IL-4 secreting cells was 15.1 per 10, 000 T cells. In Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis the means were 5.3 and 5.2, respectively. In two children with indeterminate colitis numbers were also low. There was no difference in the percentage of T cells in the cell preparations isolated from each patient group. The reduction of IL-4 secreting cells in patients with Crohn's disease was not caused by steroids. CONCLUSIONS--In idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease IL-4 secreting cells are reduced in diseased mucosa.