IL-4 and interferon-gamma production in children with atopic disease

Abstract

In vitro studies have implicated reciprocal roles for IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the regulation of IgE production. As elevated IgE is a major feature of atopic disease, an important question is whether an imbalance of IL-4 and IFN-γ is present in vivo. The production of IL-4 and IFN-γ in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from atopic children was examined to determine if there is an increased production of IL-4 and/or a reduced production of IFN-γ. Highly atopic children with IgE > 600 U/ml produced significantly more IL-4 and less IFN-γ in vitro than age-matched non-atopic controls. Production of IL-4 and IFN-γ in mildly atopic children..