Dysregulated Production of Interferon‐γ, Interleukin‐4 and Interleukin‐6 in Early Tuberculosis Patients in Response to Antigen 85B of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of immunology 2000-02, Vol.51 (2), p.209-217
• Main Authors: Jo, E K, Kim, H J, Lim, J H, Min, D, Song, Y, Song, C H, Paik, T H, Suhr, J W, Park, J K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acyltransferases; antigen 85B; Antigens, Bacterial; Bacterial Proteins - immunology; Cell Division; g-Interferon; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Interferon-gamma - biosynthesis; Interferon-gamma - genetics; Interleukin-4 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-4 - genetics; Interleukin-6 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-6 - genetics; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - cytology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors - immunology; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Tuberculosis - blood; Tuberculosis - drug therapy; Tuberculosis - immunology
• ISSN: 0300-9475; 1365-3083
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3083.2000.00663.x

Both interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin (IL)‐4 expression in T cells and IL‐6 expression in cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage were monitored using antigen 85B (Ag85B) protein and purified protein derivative (PPD) antigen in the early stages of tuberculosis (TB). We showed that the levels of cell‐associated IFN‐γ and IL‐4 (mRNA and intracellular cytokine) in Ag85B‐stimulated T cells were significantly depressed in TB patients compared with those in healthy tuberculin reactors. On the other hand, the capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to produce IL‐6 spontaneously ex vivo was enhanced in patients (P