In vitro production of cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from hydatid patients

SUMMARY The role of cytokines in human hydatidosJs (Echinococcus granulosus infection) was evaluated in immunoassays determining production of IL-4, IL-10 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures from 30 hydatid patients and 14 uninfected controls. In ceil cultures from hydatid patients parasite and non-parasite antigen stimulation significantly increased IL-4 production (P·0·005). Spontaneous and milogen-driven IL-4 production was similar in patients and controls. IL-10 and IFN-γ production did not differ statistically in the two groups, even though some hydatid patients produced these cytokines in large amounts. Notably, antigen-driven IFN-γ concentrations were invariably higher in patients than in uninfected controls. Data analysis showed a relationship between IgE and IgG4 responses and parasite-driven cytokine production. High IgE and IgG4 responders produced high IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations. High IgE responders showed decreased IFN-γ production, but high IgG4 responders had IFN-γ levels slightly higher than those of low responders. Cytokine response patterns did not relate to the clinical stage of disease. The significantly increased IL-4 and the high IL-10 concentrations found in PBMC from many hydatid patients in this study are consistent with Th2 cell activation in human hydatidosis. The presence of antigen-driven IFN-γ production in patients with E. granulosus infection implies concurrent intervention of the Th1 or Th0 cell subset.