THE ABNORMALITY OF THE TH1/TH2 DEVELOPMENT AND THE DISEASE IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Guo L-Z

Children¡¯s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China

 

Objective: To study the association of human deviated development of Th1/Th2 responses and some disease in young children.

Methods: By quantitation of IFNg, IL-4, and IL-10 production levels of ConA stimulated cord blood mononucleocytes (CBMC) or peripheral BMC (PBMC) with ELISA, the Th1 and Th2 responses were detected in: 1) normal group included newborn (19), 1~3y (12), 4~12y (11) and adults (20); 2) allergic rhinitis, AR (11); 3) JRA (15); 4) Hashimoto thyroiditis, HT (12); 5) SLE (7). PPD skin test, physical examination and questionnaire atopic symptoms were carried on 2y of age (103) and students of 6.6~8.4y old (1496).

Results: Human T cells at birth produced less IFNg, IL-4, IL-10 than those of adults and would be biased toward Th2 response until 3~4y of age. In compare with the normal group, the IL-4 production level of patients with AR was higher (188.76 ¡À 95.49 pg /ml, P<0.01). The inverse association between PPD responses and AR and / or asthma was found, especially in the group with atopic family history. PBMC of JRA cases with systemic onset produced more IL-4 (159.38 ¡À 55.87 pg / ml) and of SLE cases produced more IFNg (2401.23 ¡À 318.64 pg / ml) than those of normal group (P<0.05). The ratio of IL-4 / IFNg production by PBMC from HT was lower (0.054 ¡À 0.029) than normal (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The allergic diseases as well as JRA with systemic onset may develop in relative high risk, if Th2 deviated responses still existed over 4y old, especially with positive family history. Th1-dominated responses may involve in the pathogenesis of HT and SLE. 

 
0P-S1-4