BCG-induced dendritic cell responses and suppression of interleukin-5 production from T cells in atopic asthmatics

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 628 - 634
• Main Authors: Choi, Inseon S, Lin, Xiang-Hua, Koh, Young-Ah, Cui, Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01.08.2008; 대한의학회
• Subjects: 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; Original; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; 의학일반
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2008.23.4.628

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (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. farinae-sensitive asthmatics.