Serum levels of soluble IL‐2 receptor, IL‐4 and IgE‐binding factors in childhood allergic diseases

• Published in: Clinical and experimental immunology 1991-08, Vol.85 (2), p.288-292
• Main Authors: MATSUMOTO, T., MIIKE, T., YAMAGUCHI, K., MURAKAMI, M., KAWABE, T., YODOI, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age Factors; Allergic diseases; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; General aspects; Humans; Hypersensitivity - blood; Hypersensitivity - immunology; IgE‐binding factors; IL‐4; Immunoglobulin E - analysis; Immunopathology; Infant; Interleukin-4 - blood; Lymphokines - blood; Medical sciences; Prostatic Secretory Proteins; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - blood; soluble IL‐2 receptor
• ISSN: 0009-9104; 1365-2249
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1991.tb05720.x

SUMMARY The serum levels of soluble IL‐2 receptor (sIL‐2R), IL‐4 and IgE‐binding factors were examined in children with allergic diseases, and compared with those in non‐allergic controls of the same age and sex. The results showed age‐related decreases in the serum levels of sIL‐2R and IgE‐binding factors, but not in that of IL‐4 in both allergic and non‐allergic individuals. Significant elevation of sIL‐2R was observed in sera from children with atopic eczema or history of an anaphylactic reaction to food, as compared with that in non‐allergic controls. The serum concentration of IL‐4 was elevated in all allergic groups, including cases of atopic eczema, bronchial asthma and anaphylaxis to food, compared with non‐allergic controls, and was correlated significantly with the serum level of IgE (r= 0.59). The IgE‐binding factor levels in sera from patients aged 6‐10 years with bronchial asthma, or patients aged 1‐5 years with a history of food anaphylaxis were elevated as compared with those in non‐allergic controls of same age. There was no significant correlation between the serum levels of IgE‐binding factors and IgE. Since sIL‐2R is released by activated T cells, the present study is in favour of T cell activation causing allergic skin disorders. The serum levels of IL‐4 as well as IgE did not differ among allergic patients of different clinical categories. The role of IgE in atopic eczema and other allergic diseases is not clearly established; however, it seems likely that IL‐4 is deeply involved in the increased production of IgE seen in allergic individuals. The possible involvement of IgE‐binding factors in the age‐related changes of clinical manifestations in childhood allergic diseases was also discussed.