J Korean Med Sci.  2008 Aug;23(4):628-634. 10.3346/jkms.2008.23.4.628.

BCG-Induced Dendritic Cell Responses and Suppression of Interleukin-5 Production from T Cells in Atopic Asthmatics

• Choi IS
• Lin XH
• Koh YA
• Cui Y

• KMID: 1785821
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2008.23.4.628

Abstract

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) induces potent Th1 responses with the help of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 released from dendritic cells (DCs), and suppresses Th2- associated allergic reactions. However, there are still some controversies on therapeutic effects of BCG in asthmatics. This study investigated whether BCG administration to DCs suppresses IL-5 production from T cells in atopic asthmatics. DCs derived from peripheral blood of subjects were cultured with or without BCG and Dermatophagoides farinae extract. Some DCs were co-cultured with T cells in the presence of BCG or the above culture supernatants. In the atopic asthmatics, BCG significantly increased IL-10 and IL-12 production from DCs. In the presence of D. farinae extract, BCG further increased IL-10 production. BCG-induced IL-10 production was significantly higher in the atopics (n=14) than in the non-atopics (n=9). Both BCG and the BCG-treated DCs culture supernatant significantly increased IFN-gamma production from T cells. Both BCG and the supernatant from DCs+BCG+D. farinae co-cultures significantly decreased IL-5 production (all p<0.05), but the supernatant from DCs+BCG co-cultures did not. In conclusion, administration of BCG together with D. farinae extract effectively decreased IL-5 production from T cells, probably through the action of IL-10 and IL-12 released from DCs in D. farinaesensitive asthmatics.

Keyword

Asthma; Atopic; Mycobacterium Bovis; Dendritic Cells

MeSH Terms

Adult
Asthma/*immunology
BCG Vaccine/*immunology
Dendritic Cells/*immunology
Female
Humans
Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis
Interleukin-10/biosynthesis
Interleukin-12/biosynthesis
Interleukin-5/*biosynthesis
Lymphocyte Activation
Male
T-Lymphocytes/*immunology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 concentrations in the supernatant of dendritic cell (DC) culture with or without BCG and Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) extract in the atopic asthmatics (n=8).

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  Fig. 2 T cell proliferation in the supernatant of co-cultures of dendritic cells and T cells from the atopic asthmatics (n=8) with or without BCG, Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) extract and supernatant of dendritic cells-BCG co-culture. Sup1, supernatant of dendritic cells and BCG co-culture; Sup2, supernatant of dendritic cells, BCG, and Df co-culture.

• 

  Fig. 3 Interferon (IFN)-γ concentration in the supernatant of co-cultures of dendritic cells and T cells from the atopic asthmatics (n=8) with or without BCG, Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) extract and supernatant of dendritic cells-BCG co-culture. Sup1, supernatant of dendritic cells and BCG co-culture; Sup2, supernatant of dendritic cells, BCG, and Df co-culture.

• 

  Fig. 4 Interleukin (IL)-5 concentration in the supernatant of dendritic cell and T cell co-cultures from the atopic asthmatics (n=8) with or without BCG, Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) extract and supernatant of dendritic cells-BCG co-culture. Sup1, supernatant of dendritic cells and BCG co-culture; Sup2, supernatant of dendritic cells, BCG, and Df co-culture.

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