BACKGROUND: The Th1/Th2 balance has not been characterized in patients suffering from flea bite-induced papular urticaria (FBPU). Our aim was to improve understanding of the immunopathogenesis of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in humans suffering from flea bite-induced papular urticaria. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 18 pediatric patients and 10 age-matched healthy controls. Cellular phenotypes, intracellular production of interferon gamma (IFNgamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in T-cells stimulated with polyclonal stimuli was determined by flow cytometry following short-term in vitro stimulation. RESULTS: The results revealed lower frequencies of IFNgamma-secreting (p = 0.02) and higher frequencies of IL-4-secreting (p = 0.03) CD4+ T-cells in patient lymphocyte cultures compared to healthy control cultures in the presence of polyclonal stimuli. This is the first description of differential cytokine patterns in papular urticaria patients. CONCLUSION: Patients suffering from papular urticaria have an atopic status compared to healthy children.
BACKGROUND: The Th1/Th2 balance has not been characterized in patients suffering from flea bite-induced papular urticaria (FBPU). Our aim was to improve understanding of the immunopathogenesis of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in humans suffering from flea bite-induced papular urticaria. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 18 pediatric patients and 10 age-matched healthy controls. Cellular phenotypes, intracellular production of interferon gamma (IFNgamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in T-cells stimulated with polyclonal stimuli was determined by flow cytometry following short-term in vitro stimulation. RESULTS: The results revealed lower frequencies of IFNgamma-secreting (p = 0.02) and higher frequencies of IL-4-secreting (p = 0.03) CD4+ T-cells in patient lymphocyte cultures compared to healthy control cultures in the presence of polyclonal stimuli. This is the first description of differential cytokine patterns in papular urticariapatients. CONCLUSION:Patients suffering from papular urticaria have an atopic status compared to healthy children.
Authors: Luis Caraballo; Josefina Zakzuk; Bee Wah Lee; Nathalie Acevedo; Jian Yi Soh; Mario Sánchez-Borges; Elham Hossny; Elizabeth García; Nelson Rosario; Ignacio Ansotegui; Leonardo Puerta; Jorge Sánchez; Victoria Cardona Journal: World Allergy Organ J Date: 2016-06-27 Impact factor: 4.084