Polyclonal and allergen-induced cytokine responses in adults with asthma: Resolution of asthma is associated with normalization of IFN-γ responses

Abstract

Background: Atopic disease is associated with skewing of immune responses away from a TH1 toward a TH2 profile. Previous studies have implicated this cytokine imbalance in the development of disease. However, it is not known whether normalization of this imbalance is conversely associated with disease resolution. Objective: To further delineate the role of reduced TH1 and increased TH2 cytokine production in the pathogenesis of atopic disease and to determine whether disease resolution is associated with alteration of cytokine profiles, we investigated cytokine responses in a cohort of adult patients with asthma followed from childhood. Methods: A cohort of wheezy children and control subjec..