Increased expression of Interleukin-13 but not Interleukin-4 in cystic fibrosis patients.

BACKGROUND

Many patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) suffer from allergic disease, which can complicate treatment of CF lung disease. Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 have been shown to be important mediators in allergic disease.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of IL-4 and IL-13 in allergic and non-allergic CF patients.

METHODS

Expression of IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA was investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) of seven CF patients with allergy, of six patients without allergy and of nine healthy subjects as well as in BAL cells of four patients and of all controls. PBM from six patients were incubated with recombinant human IL-13 or human antiIL-13 antibody without and with LPS stimulation and TNFalpha levels were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

IL-13 mRNA expression was increased in allergic and non-allergic patients compared to controls. No significant difference in IL-4 expression could be found between patients and controls. Addition of IL-13 decreased TNFalpha in PBM culture supernatants.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that IL-13 rather than IL-4 might play an important role in both allergic and non-allergic CF patients. IL-13 might also compromise host defence by decreasing TNFalpha production.