T helper type 2 like cytokine responses to peptides from P0 and P2 myelin proteins during the recovery phase of Guillain-Barré syndrome

Autor(es): Dahle C,Ekerfelt C,Vrethem M,Samuelsson M,Ernerudh J


Resumo: T-lymphocytes are probably involved in the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). T-helper-1 (Th1) cytokines activate macrophages and induce a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) inflammatory response, consistent with the morphology of the demyelination in GBS. Th2 cytokines encourage antibody production and downregulate Th1 responses. To study the Th1/Th2 cytokines in relation to the clinical course of GBS an ELISPOT method for determination of single cells secreting interferon-gamma, IFN-gamma (Th1) or interleukin-4, IL-4 (Th2) was used. We serially investigated antigen-induced cytokine secretion from circulating T-cells stimulated with human peptides from the P0 and P2 proteins in seven patients and compared to results from seven serially investigated healthy controls. Most patients (five of seven) showed IL-4 responses during the plateau- or recovery-phase as compared to controls. One patient with a prolonged disease course, on the other hand, had an IFN-gamma dominated reactivity. We suggest that the IL-4 responses are beneficial in GBS, and may have a role in terminating the disease process in this self-limiting inflammatory disease.


Palavras-Chave: Guillain-Barré syndrome; Myelin; P0; P2; T cells; IFN-?; IL-4


Imprenta: Journal of the Neurological Sciences, v. 153, n. 1, p. 54-60, 1997


Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1016/S0022-510X(97)00178-0


Descritores: Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Biosynthesis ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Cell ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Pathogenesis ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Protein synthesis ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Proteins ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Cytokines


Data de publicação: 1997