Investigation of IL-18 and IL-12 in induced sputum of patients with IPF before and after treatment with interferon gamma-1b.

Autor:	Antoniou KM; Interstitial Lung Disease Unit, Department of Thoracic Medicine, University General Hospital, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion., Tzortzaki EG, Alexandrakis MG, Zervou M, Tzanakis N, Sfiridaki K, Bouros DE, Siafakas NM
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Sarcoidosis, vasculitis, and diffuse lung diseases : official journal of WASOG [Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis] 2005 Oct; Vol. 22 (3), pp. 204-9.
Abstrakt:	Background and Aim: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) has been identified as an interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) mediator, promoting a T helper 1 (Th1) response. Th1 response is characterized by increased expression of IFN-gamma, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). The present study aims to evaluate the role of Th1 cytokines by monitoring changes in Induced Sputum (IS) samples, before and after treatment with IFN-gamma-1b in patients with IPF. Patients and Methods: Fifteen patients with histologically confirmed IPF/UIP (12 male, 3 female) of median age 65 yr were prospectively studied. Ten healthy subjects (5 female, 5 male) of median age 61 yr served as control group. Patients were assigned to receive IFN-gamma-1b 200 microg (15 patients) subcutaneously three times per week for 12 months. Induced sputum (IS) IL-12 and IL-18 levels were measured before and after IFN-gamma-1b treatment in IPF patients as well as in healthy controls, using ELISA immunoassay. Results: The IL-18 levels were significantly higher in IPF samples before treatment than in healthy controls (57.05 +/- 6.9 pg/ml vs. 41.07 +/- 8.16 pg/ml, p < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease was detected in the IL-18 levels after IFN-gamma-1b treatment (57.05 +/- 6.9 vs. 42.8 +/- 5.1 pg/ml, p = 0.04). The IL-12 supernatant levels measured before and after IFN-gamma-1b treatment were not significantly different. Conclusions: Our results may illustrate the potential role of IL-18 as an inflammatory molecule in the pathogenesis of IPF. Moreover, decrease of IL-18 levels in IPF patients, after 12 months of therapy could possibly be explained as IL-18 downregulation after IFN-gamma-1b treatment. Extended studies are needed to determine the precise role of IL-12 and IL-18 during IPF.
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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