All issues > Volume 41(8); 1998

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1998;41(8):1128-1134. Published online August 15, 1998.

Decrease of Plasma Th2 Cytokines by Interferon(IFN) -γ Therapy in Atopic Dermatitis

Geun Woong GW Noh¹, Woo Gill WG Lee¹, Dong Hee DH Cho², Ki Young KY Lee³

¹Departments of Pediatrics, Sungkyunkwan University, College of Medicine, Samsung Cheil Hospital and Women`s Healthcare Center, Seoul, Korea
<sup>2</sup>Departments of Clinical Pathology, Sungkyunkwan University, College of Medicine, Samsung Cheil Hospital and Women`s Healthcare Center, Seoul, Korea
³Departments of Pediatrics, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Geun Woong GW Noh ,Email: 1

Abstract

Purpose
: Atopic dermatitis is characterized by reduced IFN-γ production and increased IL-4 production. As a result, IgE production increases in atopic dermatitis. In the previous studies, it was reported that recombinant IFN-γ therapy is effective in treatment of severe atopic dermatitis. In this study, changes of plasma IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 concentration by IFN-γ therapy were studied in atopic dermatitis. Changes of plasma IgE levels and eosinophil counts were also investigated in the present report.
Methods
: Sixty-five atopic dermatitis patients were studied. Diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis were those used by Hanifin and Rajka. Patients received 2×106 units/m2 IFN-γ by subcutaneous injection eighteen times for six weeks. The following investigations were performed : complete blood cell count, total IgE, eosinophil percentage and total eosinophil count in addition to plasma IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 concentration.
Results
: Plasma concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 decreased by IFN-γ therapy in atopic dermatitis. However, plasma IFN-γ concentration was not changed. No significant correlations among the changes of IgE, eosinophil counts and plasma cytokine concentrations were detected.
Conclusion
: Plasma concentrations of Th2 cytokine such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 decreased by IFN-γ therapy. This study suggests that Th2 cytokines might not be produced simulaneously. and that changes of Th2 cytokines might not affect the quantitiative changes of IgE and of eosinophil count.

Keywords :Interferon(IFN)-γ, Interleukin(IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IgE, Atopic dermatitis, Eosinophil